Kim DiMarchi and Ann DeWitt, the co-hosts of Passport to Parenting join Kent and Todd in studio to talk about The Death of Mr. Mom, and the birth of another father who shows us that learning how to parent needs to come with instructions and a troubleshooting chapter, because what he did is senseless.

What has happened to Father’s in this country? One shoots up his daughter’s computer with a handgun. This one degrading his daughter with a shirt she was made to wear at school. I thought learning how to parent was difficult but I never thought I would do anything this dumb.

People often mention that we have to get a license to drive, to get married, but to have children? Nobody really knows how to parent. They only use what they have learned from their own upbringing. So maybe before parents give birth, there should be a serious class that is required in order that they learn how to parent.

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There’s an App for that. No there isn’t, there is an article.  When it comes to kids brain development there isn’t an app that can enhance it like actual tangible experiences. Kent and Todd debate how apps can help our children learn.

Plus, technology is now driving kids to stay in touch with their parents much more when they go away to college. On average, kids are connecting with parents now 13 times per week. Todd loses his mind but not his ability to speak his mind.

Finally, technology may be good, but it is creating health issues for kids. How can kids be entering their teenage years over 250 lbs? What has happened to kids and their healthy eating habits? Is America’s next generation heading to an early grave? Not if we can all do something about it now. Find out what.

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The first time you laid eyes on your son, what went through your mind? Have you imagined playing together? Have you imagined playing with dolls, dressing up and having tea parties? No Dad imagines that but many find that is what happens when their boys grow up wanting to be like a girls. In a recent NY Times article, this issue was discussed at length. Todd and Kent had their own chat about what to do when your son wants to be like a girl.

Do you force your child to be something they’re not? Do you let them go to school in dresses and wear wigs? Much of this episode focuses on this, while there is also a larger discussion about how we as Dads can be even better.

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Has your Dad ever embarrassed you? How bad was it really? As a dad, I am pretty sure I have made my boys blush. President Obama did it to his daughter, Malia, and while some focused on what he said, if you listened closely you heard ideas that inspired his daughter and made her better.

Todd goes solo and talks about how we as Dads can have an impact on our kids. The choices we make are critical and whether it is sending your kids to public or private school, or listening to our kids rather than telling them what or how to do something. It’s not a rant, it’s a discovery, it’s an opportunity to learn something that may change the way you parent.

Also is Oregon fixing their school system? Does their new scoring system help schools and ultimately support the kids?

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Malcolm Gladwell wrote the book, “Outliers” In it, he speaks of how the older kids in classrooms have all the advantages. Some parents have taken this to mean that they should redshirt their children, i.e – hold them back so they are 6 in Kindergarten and 11 in 5th grade. Does this really benefit our children? Does it harm them? Gladwell’s research stems from the world of sports where statistics have shown the advantages of having an early birthday. Kent and Todd speak of their own experience, academically and athletically, and debate this latest trend is hyper parenting.

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Kevin Renner stepped away from a well paying job two years ago, because he woke up one morning dreading to go to work. That was the first day of his new journey, as an author. He has just written his first book, “In Search of Fatherhood:A Mother Lode of Wisdom from the World of Daughterhood”

In this book, Kevin interviewed 50 different women from around the world. Some are mothers, others are not. But they all had some sort of relationship with their Fathers that profoundly impacted their lives. It’s a beautiful book, that all fathers should read to gain a deeper understanding of their daughters.

Near the end of the show, Kevin unveiled his 3 Parenting Principles that he gained from this two year tour that enabled him to connect with Daughters from all over the world.

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Kids today have enough to deal with, add on cyberbullying and how do they cope? A bunch of dads joined us to talk about the issue of cyberbullying and their own experiences. Oh, the burgers Kelly “burgerfaire.com” McNiece (our IT) cooked were unreal and the Sierra Nevada’s were choice!

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Newsweek writes “Man Up!” on their cover. Todd and Kent react to the article. Does America and their men need to Man Up? What’s wrong with us? What’s right with Sweden, Germany, Japan and others? Would you as a father take 4 months off work to be with your newborn? Man needs to change, how is the question. We have many opinions.

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James Curleigh, CEO of KEEN joined Dads Unplugged to talk about his role as a dad to three, and how he discovered something special about his son. Plus, Todd and Kent dive into the kids returning to school. Is there really such a thing as School Phobia? Some Docs say yes.

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Alright already,
We are changing one thing to Friday night’s BURGERfest 1. Now you don’t have to do a thing. DO NOT bring meat, because we are going to bring it and cook it for you. YES, free burgers and drinks.

When: 7pm
Where:1440 NW Overton
What: BURGERfest 1, hosted by Dads Unplugged
What to Bring: A friend. NOTHING ELSE.

We have imported a special Chef from the other side of the river and he is going to help up develop the perfect slider that you will eat. No vegetarians here.

1-Meatloaf Horseradish Cheeder Slider
2-Pepperoni with Mozzerella and homemade tomato sauce burger
3-Onion Soup, swiss cheese and mushroom burger
4-Feta, Olive Tapenade or Paste Burger
5-Philly Cheese with Cream Cheese and Steak Sauce burger.

Your mouth watering yet?

RSVP, right here, right now. Tell the wife it’s a business meeting if you must, but get ‘er done, because we have limited spots available. 15 to be exact. That’s Friday night at 7pm, 1440 NW Overton. All Dads. All evening. BURGERfest I