Pinterest for dads: A guide to the hot new social media service

Posted on February 25, 2012 by

When you’ve got toddlers, and you’re tired, it’s tempting to avoid bedtime books with in-depth stories that will take time to read. That’s when you reach for the ones with the big, pretty pictures and the little one-liners instead. This is almost exactly like browsing the new social media sensation, Pinterest.

Unlike Foursequare, which focused on rewarding users based on where they travelled, or Quora, which sorted out answers to burning questions, Pinterest simply brings together random collections of pictures or videos that someone has “pinned” (kind of like tagging a picture on Facebook) to a “board” they’ve set up with a category like My Style, Products I Love or Books and Music. Much in the way some people use Twitter to simply re-tweet other people’s thoughts instead of writing their own, you can “re-pin” things you see on other people’s boards to your own. Or just “like” or leave comments on what someone has pinned. (I must say the comments tend to be somewhat minimal, like “Beautiful!” or “Gross!”)

While Pinterest seems to have first gained traction with moms who used it to share recipes or craft-related information, the service has picked up considerable steam in 2012. After using it for a few weeks, I haven’t found a lot of categories that are aimed at dads specifically, but a Pinterest search on “fatherhood” is already showing a lot of loving images of dads with their kids, some funny T-shirts and so on.

This isn’t a service where you’ll necessarily look for tips or ideas on becoming a better dad, but I do think it could be a potential way for dads to share content that connects them with other men they wouldn’t encounter otherwise. A good explanation for this came from Mashable’s Pete Cashmore recently, who wrote on CNN about the unique features that distinguish Pinterest from the pack:

“People-centric” recommendations are being augmented by “topic-centric” networks — which is to say that while Facebook lets you explore the Web through information shared by friends, newer social networks organize content by topics of interest. Some in the technology industry call this the “interest graph.” … Pinterest checks all the boxes: It’s a visual social network that organizes images by topic and lets you reshare with just one click.

Think about the content that most dads typically share online — pictures or videos of their kids. Pinterest gives them a natural platform for this kind of activity.

The main impediment to Pinterest’s success, I think, will probably be social media fatigue. If you’re already using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or all three, adding another account to manage may simply be too much. Although you can broadcast what you do on Pinterest to your Facebook or Twitter accounts, there will still need to be a fair bit of toggling back and forth. It’s kind of like the worry that comes when you’re having another kid (which is on my mind as my wife and I plan for the arrival of No. 3): will you really have the time to love them all?

Posted in Social Media | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

If ‘geek dads’ are now cool, are they still technically geeks?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

Remember when you made fun of your father for not being able to set the clock on the VCR? Today’s dad is so far ahead of that generation he’s practically running a home-based IT department.

At least, that’s the conclusion drawn from a research report released earlier today by Cisco Systems as part of the marketing around its LinkSys home networking products. The majority of those who responded to The Confessions of a Geek Dad Survey said they like music, the outdoors and gaming — in other words, they are like most other men. However Cisco suggested that by being effective in setting up technology gave them increased confidence and interpersonal skills as a parent:

in fact, 70 percent of geek dads say their kids think they are cool because they’re a tech geek. And when called a “tech geek” by their kids, 87 percent say that makes them feel proud or humored. Also, most geek dads (69 percent) say they’re cooler than other dads, attributing their coolness factor to creating a home where their kids’ friends love hanging out (75 percent).

These statistics are part of a new wave of fathers who are using technology to connect with their families to create fun and memorable traditions and are more confident in their own abilities as parents.

It’s not like yesterday’s dads were incapable of handling technology. It just wasn’t IT. My dad has barely touched a computer, but he was an expert at fixing a car or dealing with our water system. Today’s dad would have little knowledge of the operating system and processing power under the hood of his vehicle, and are probably more likely to call in a plumber before dealing with a sump-pump on their own.

So why are these dads more involved, wearing their geekery like a badge of honour? Maybe because unlike cars and things that make their houses function, information technology usage spans generations, so proficiency gives them credibility in the eyes of their children.

According to Cisco, “72 percent of geek dads (especially younger ones age 24-39 at 79 percent) say they’re more excited about teaching kids how to use tech tools than the traditional workbench tools their dads taught them.” I actually find that kind of sad. Maybe because, unless it’s a bad product, most consumer technology should be reasonable accessible to the average person, even a young person, whereas there’s a lot that gets built or fixed on a workbench that can’t easily be self-taught. There’s also something about the idea of fathers and their kids looking at instruction manuals, tools, lines drawn on a piece of wood rather than, well, a screen.

It’s great that dads no longer throw up their hands at PCs and related tools, but being able to set up a home network or use a tablet doesn’t really make you a geek any more. It makes you an everyday guy. And what tends to make most dads really cool in the eyes of their kids is the kind of knowledge that’s hard to come by. Here’s hoping they can convey that kind of knowledge (otherwise known as wisdom) through some of these new digital tools — or even better yet, without them.

Posted in News for online dads | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Google’s social search and privacy policy changes mean for online dads

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

There was a time when you could search for something on Google and it would never know you’re a dad, or that you were at all connected to other dads. That time is long gone.

Google has made two major changes in recent weeks — one a new feature release, one a policy switch — that will have a major impact on all of its users. I’m focusing here on what it will mean for the fathers who are active online, because they are a unique sub-segment of the population and as such, will probably start to notice a few strange things when they work with Google.

The first, Google Search Plus Your World, is a feature whereby results for an online query will be accompanied not simply by the usual links to Wikipedia articles and general-interest media, but to any Facebook status updates, Twitter tweets and (suspiciously often) updates from members of their Google+ “circles” of friends. So for example, if you were looking up car seats because your child has grown from an infant to a toddler, you’ll get results not just from companies that make car seats but comments, tips or recommendations from friends who have bought car seats.

Sounds innocuous enough, but the reaction has been really poor. A poll on Mashable showed more than 60 per cent don’t want so-called “social search” from Google, perhaps because it tends to push down results from those outside your other online friends, and because some feel Google+ results always tend to outrank those from other social networking services. If nothing else, the quality of social search results may have some online dads pruning back people to whom they’re connected online if they tend to over-comment or provide status updates that will get in the way of information they seek out online. On the plus side, it may reinforce some of those online relationships between dads that have recently connected through Google+, Twitter and the like.

You won’t get Search Plus Your World, of course, unless you sign into Google. Even if you don’t use Google+, you might do this if you’re a Gmail user, or if you track dates in Google calendar or any number of services. Having any kind of profile on the search engine, though, means you’re now part of a major data mining project the company has decided to undertake. Just a few days ago Google announced it would be consolidating dozens of its privacy policies, meaning that if you use more than one of its services, all that profile information will be consolidated too. So depending on how many service you use, Google will know what’s in your e-mail inbox, your appointments, what documents you’re managing, and where you are at a given time.

If that sounds Orwellian, consider the motive. Google’s business model is based on advertising. Having a more holistic set of information on its customer’s preferences means, in theory, it can offer much more targeted ads to each user. This is particularly relevant to online dads, who, while perhaps less influential in household purchasing than online moms, are increasingly seen as an important demographic for marketers.

The test, I suppose, will be whether the fathers who use Google start to discover increased value from the peer advice they get through the search engine, and advertising that comes across as more personalized and helpful than ever before. If not, it may be time to search for a new search engine.

Posted in News for online dads | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

WonderDads to take activity guides to smartphones

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

How does a father become a hero? Sometimes all it takes is finding something really worthwhile do with their kids.

For some time now, WonderDads has been offering books that detail tons of ideas for activities in major U.S. cities. It’s only natural, therefore, that they should consider bringing that content to mobile devices. DadLinks.com asked WonderDads COO Chris Beaver for details on the upcoming apps.

Right now you’re offering books with activity ideas that are updated annually. How will these guides evolve through your mobile app?

While we love our books and have had phenomenal response from both media and users, we are hoping that our app will allow dads to have the great resource of 1000′s of local activities in their pockets at all times. Hopefully this will make it even easier for dads to spend great quality time with their kids at any time and wherever they are.

To what extent do you see these kinds of information resources being offered primarily via mobile device in the long run?

While we can’t wait for our app to be available, we’re still 100% committed to our line of books. Books is where we started and we look forward to years of publishing our activity guides, Coach Me & Teach Me series, and several other new series of books we’re currently developing.

What’s involved in putting an activity guide for a city together? How do you know which activities will be sure-fire hits with dads and their kids?

We’re very lucky to have the opportunity to work with local parents in each of the cities we publish guides for, and it’s these parents that help guide us towards the “sure-fire” hits, but also the great quiet local spots as well. We work closely with these authors to make sure we’re including great local & kid-friendly locations that will make quality dad-kid time easy and fun.

You’ve got activities for 37 cities. What are your expansion plans for 2012, if any?

37 cities isn’t enough! We’re looking forward to adding city guides for many many more cities going forward. 2012 will see an expansion of our guides into a number of new areas we’ve had requests for as well as exploring some of the smaller metros around the country as we continue to grow.

Approximately when do you see the mobile app coming out, and any sense on what the pricing model will be?

We’re hoping to have the app out in March or April of this year and are shooting for a price range of $1.99 to $2.99. The single app will include all of the great content from our 37 current city guides and will be updated with new cities shortly after any new books are published.

Posted in News for online dads | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

FatherhoodApprentice.com’s encouragement for the year ahead

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Of all the alternate takes on the “It Gets Better” project, this is one of my new favourites.

This was the first time I’d encountered FatherApprentice.com, a great-looking site for first-time dads-to-be. The clip below is a good reminder that kids get even more fun as they move into toddlerhood, and that despite the ongoing challenges there’s lots to look forward to.

It’s also a good reminder that even if you have some experience as a dad, each kid is an opportunity to become an apprentice all over again. This point is particularly on my mind lately, given some big news in my personal life: I’m thrilled to say that my amazing wife and I are expecting our third child, probably in early July. With two kids already I may be more of a father journeyman at this point, but I’m looking forward to relearning everything. Happy new year!

Posted in Fatherhood online videos | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Portable Parenting App tries to redeem the dreaded time-out

Posted on December 11, 2011 by

Your kid acts up. You punish as needed. It’s over — as long as your smart phone tells you it’s over.

Created by TOTO Product, LLC, the Portable Parenting App brings together several ideas into one mobile software program that are designed to assist Moms and Dads as they deal with critical issues around caregiving. Probably the most interesting is Take Out Time Out, which tries to turn what’s usually a stressful experience into something more educational. Instead of just giving your kid a “time out” and then letting them go back to causing chaos once it’s over, the app records when the time out began and why, and uses voice prompts to ask the kid why they were being punished and what they should (or shouldn’t) do next time. Then the child is supposed to hand the smart phone back to the parent, who is guided to have a conversation with the rehabilitated child.

Much like a previous app I wrote about, ImOK, the Portable Parenting App has a point system for tracking good behaviour as well (which can turn into rewards), as well as a “parenting bank” to track children’s finances, but it’s Take Out Time Out that will likely grab the most attention.

While TOTO Product’s founder and CEO, Lisa Bogart Carvajal, makes the whole thing sound completely normal and convenient in a TV interview posted on the firm’s Web site, there’s something a little unsettling about the marketing around this app and the implied uselessness of parents who haven’t been using it.

We have one chance to be the best parents we can be and the Portable Parenting Products are key . . . I call the boundaries “love walls” and being a consistent positive parent takes strength, patience and lots of love. Parenting life would be a breeze with out having to build and maintain the love walls… It is so easy to say “yes” and so much harder to say “no” and struggle through the disappointment.

Although not, apparently, if you use this app. It can be used to “program” up to four children (“Add your spouse too!” the site suggests) and “like having a Parenting Coach on hand at all times.” Personally, I’m not sure I’d want a coach of any kind around at all times, but then, there’s no direct mention of fathers in the pitch for the Portable Parenting App. I could actually see some guys trying it out, similar to the way they might experiment with apps to guide their fitness regimens, then get sick of it after a while.

I think it’s great if technology allow fathers (and mothers) to connect with each other and even their children, but not necessary as a disciplinary aid. Yes, parenting can be difficult. And yes, there is an app for that. But before you start relying on it as educator and enforcer, you might want to take a time out.

Posted in News for online dads | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BabyShowerForGuys.com: Men’s travel meets parenting prep

Posted on December 1, 2011 by

Your partner is pregnant. Congratulations! And now it’s time to pack.

I’ve already written about the idea of “dadchelor” parties where men preparing for a major life-changing moment. Now an BSFG Travel Network has gone a step further with BabyShowerForGuys.com, which is basically a site for planning a trip with your friends along with a lot of other content on male parenting.

What follows is an e-mail interview with Nick Scappini, the company’s co-founder and CEO.  

When did you know the idea of a “dadchelor party” had reached a big enough tipping point that a site like BabyShowerForGuys.com made sense?

It actually happened the other way around. I had my first “baby shower for guys” six years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first child. To me it seemed like a golden opportunity to get away with  my buddies and celebrate in a guys’ way – not with diaper games and baby gifts. Ever since, my group of friends has had at least one dadchelor party every year, and somewhere during the last few years, I was inspired to create a company around making it easier for expectant fathers to plan their own celebrations.

Fate has been on our side. The trend of dadchelor parties became mainstream right in time with the timing of our launch.

A major feature on the site is an area that helps men make the “business case” for a trip to their wife or partner. How long before planning a trip like this becomes an accepted an routine part of men preparing for fatherhood?

Our aim is to create a brand new holiday for men: a baby shower for guys. Of course this can only happen if a man’s better half is on board with the idea. Because our site also includes content focused on parenting, relationships, childbirth and other topics relevant to new parenthood, we believe women will see why it is so important for dads to have their own resources and more importantly, their own way of celebrating their part in bringing a life into the world.

I think the sea change is already happening, and within the next five years, a baby shower for guys’ getaway will be as common and accepted as the traditional bachelor party.

How would you profile the kind of visitor/audience BabyShowerForGuys.com will attract, and over the long term, how do you see the demographic changing?

Our primary demographic for this site is men ages 21-40 years. There are 5 million expectant fathers in the U.S., and our site is created for them. Long term, we envision the site becoming a regular source of articles and entertainment for fathers, men considering fatherhood, their friends, and their partners.

If a guy felt uneasy or embarrassed about the idea of BabyShowerForGuys.com, what would you tell them?

Man, you have no idea what you are missing! Becoming a father is an exciting but stressful time for most guys, and in order to be a supportive partner, you have to be at the top of your game. Nothing better than a golf weekend, fishing trip or great seats at a bowl game to recharge and refocus in preparation for the chaos that a new baby brings into a family.

How do you see the Internet changing the way men see themselves as fathers?

Fatherhood has changed drastically for this generation of fathers. Most dads today are much more hands on and directly involved in child rearing than the average father in our parents’ generation. There are more pressures and responsibilities now; but there are also many more resources.

The internet has enabled dads to share information amongst each other with blogs and social media, making it easier to educate ourselves about parenting, and thus be more confident about fulfilling our role as husband or partner and father. BabyShowerForGuys.com will build upon that, providing community, information, advice and travel deals specifically designed for dads and making it easier to celebrate fatherhood.  

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment