Fatherhood Archives | Bearded Nom Nom

class Akismet_REST_API { /** * Register the REST API routes. */ public static function init() { if ( ! function_exists( 'register_rest_route' ) ) { // The REST API wasn't integrated into core until 4.4, and we support 4.0+ (for now). return false; } register_rest_route( 'akismet/v1', '/key', array( array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::READABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'get_key' ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::EDITABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'set_key' ), 'args' => array( 'key' => array( 'required' => true, 'type' => 'string', 'sanitize_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'sanitize_key' ), 'description' => __( 'A 12-character Akismet API key. Available at akismet.com/get/', 'akismet' ), ), ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::DELETABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'delete_key' ), ) ) ); register_rest_route( 'akismet/v1', '/settings/', array( array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::READABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'get_settings' ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::EDITABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'set_boolean_settings' ), 'args' => array( 'akismet_strictness' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'boolean', 'description' => __( 'If true, Akismet will automatically discard the worst spam automatically rather than putting it in the spam folder.', 'akismet' ), ), 'akismet_show_user_comments_approved' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'boolean', 'description' => __( 'If true, show the number of approved comments beside each comment author in the comments list page.', 'akismet' ), ), ), ) ) ); register_rest_route( 'akismet/v1', '/stats', array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::READABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'get_stats' ), 'args' => array( 'interval' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'string', 'sanitize_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'sanitize_interval' ), 'description' => __( 'The time period for which to retrieve stats. Options: 60-days, 6-months, all', 'akismet' ), 'default' => 'all', ), ), ) ); register_rest_route( 'akismet/v1', '/stats/(?P[\w+])', array( 'args' => array( 'interval' => array( 'description' => __( 'The time period for which to retrieve stats. Options: 60-days, 6-months, all', 'akismet' ), 'type' => 'string', ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::READABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'privileged_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'get_stats' ), ) ) ); register_rest_route( 'akismet/v1', '/alert', array( array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::READABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'remote_call_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'get_alert' ), 'args' => array( 'key' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'string', 'sanitize_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'sanitize_key' ), 'description' => __( 'A 12-character Akismet API key. Available at akismet.com/get/', 'akismet' ), ), ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::EDITABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'remote_call_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'set_alert' ), 'args' => array( 'key' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'string', 'sanitize_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'sanitize_key' ), 'description' => __( 'A 12-character Akismet API key. Available at akismet.com/get/', 'akismet' ), ), ), ), array( 'methods' => WP_REST_Server::DELETABLE, 'permission_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'remote_call_permission_callback' ), 'callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'delete_alert' ), 'args' => array( 'key' => array( 'required' => false, 'type' => 'string', 'sanitize_callback' => array( 'Akismet_REST_API', 'sanitize_key' ), 'description' => __( 'A 12-character Akismet API key. Available at akismet.com/get/', 'akismet' ), ), ), ) ) ); } /** * Get the current Akismet API key. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function get_key( $request = null ) { return rest_ensure_response( Akismet::get_api_key() ); } /** * Set the API key, if possible. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function set_key( $request ) { if ( defined( 'WPCOM_API_KEY' ) ) { return rest_ensure_response( new WP_Error( 'hardcoded_key', __( 'This site\'s API key is hardcoded and cannot be changed via the API.', 'akismet' ), array( 'status'=> 409 ) ) ); } $new_api_key = $request->get_param( 'key' ); if ( ! self::key_is_valid( $new_api_key ) ) { return rest_ensure_response( new WP_Error( 'invalid_key', __( 'The value provided is not a valid and registered API key.', 'akismet' ), array( 'status' => 400 ) ) ); } update_option( 'wordpress_api_key', $new_api_key ); return self::get_key(); } /** * Unset the API key, if possible. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function delete_key( $request ) { if ( defined( 'WPCOM_API_KEY' ) ) { return rest_ensure_response( new WP_Error( 'hardcoded_key', __( 'This site\'s API key is hardcoded and cannot be deleted.', 'akismet' ), array( 'status'=> 409 ) ) ); } delete_option( 'wordpress_api_key' ); return rest_ensure_response( true ); } /** * Get the Akismet settings. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function get_settings( $request = null ) { return rest_ensure_response( array( 'akismet_strictness' => ( get_option( 'akismet_strictness', '1' ) === '1' ), 'akismet_show_user_comments_approved' => ( get_option( 'akismet_show_user_comments_approved', '1' ) === '1' ), ) ); } /** * Update the Akismet settings. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function set_boolean_settings( $request ) { foreach ( array( 'akismet_strictness', 'akismet_show_user_comments_approved', ) as $setting_key ) { $setting_value = $request->get_param( $setting_key ); if ( is_null( $setting_value ) ) { // This setting was not specified. continue; } // From 4.7+, WP core will ensure that these are always boolean // values because they are registered with 'type' => 'boolean', // but we need to do this ourselves for prior versions. $setting_value = Akismet_REST_API::parse_boolean( $setting_value ); update_option( $setting_key, $setting_value ? '1' : '0' ); } return self::get_settings(); } /** * Parse a numeric or string boolean value into a boolean. * * @param mixed $value The value to convert into a boolean. * @return bool The converted value. */ public static function parse_boolean( $value ) { switch ( $value ) { case true: case 'true': case '1': case 1: return true; case false: case 'false': case '0': case 0: return false; default: return (bool) $value; } } /** * Get the Akismet stats for a given time period. * * Possible `interval` values: * - all * - 60-days * - 6-months * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function get_stats( $request ) { $api_key = Akismet::get_api_key(); $interval = $request->get_param( 'interval' ); $stat_totals = array(); $response = Akismet::http_post( Akismet::build_query( array( 'blog' => get_option( 'home' ), 'key' => $api_key, 'from' => $interval ) ), 'get-stats' ); if ( ! empty( $response[1] ) ) { $stat_totals[$interval] = json_decode( $response[1] ); } return rest_ensure_response( $stat_totals ); } /** * Get the current alert code and message. Alert codes are used to notify the site owner * if there's a problem, like a connection issue between their site and the Akismet API, * invalid requests being sent, etc. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function get_alert( $request ) { return rest_ensure_response( array( 'code' => get_option( 'akismet_alert_code' ), 'message' => get_option( 'akismet_alert_msg' ), ) ); } /** * Update the current alert code and message by triggering a call to the Akismet server. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function set_alert( $request ) { delete_option( 'akismet_alert_code' ); delete_option( 'akismet_alert_msg' ); // Make a request so the most recent alert code and message are retrieved. Akismet::verify_key( Akismet::get_api_key() ); return self::get_alert( $request ); } /** * Clear the current alert code and message. * * @param WP_REST_Request $request * @return WP_Error|WP_REST_Response */ public static function delete_alert( $request ) { delete_option( 'akismet_alert_code' ); delete_option( 'akismet_alert_msg' ); return self::get_alert( $request ); } private static function key_is_valid( $key ) { $response = Akismet::http_post( Akismet::build_query( array( 'key' => $key, 'blog' => get_option( 'home' ) ) ), 'verify-key' ); if ( $response[1] == 'valid' ) { return true; } return false; } public static function privileged_permission_callback() { return current_user_can( 'manage_options' ); } /** * For calls that Akismet.com makes to the site to clear outdated alert codes, use the API key for authorization. */ public static function remote_call_permission_callback( $request ) { $local_key = Akismet::get_api_key(); return $local_key && ( strtolower( $request->get_param( 'key' ) ) === strtolower( $local_key ) ); } public static function sanitize_interval( $interval, $request, $param ) { $interval = trim( $interval ); $valid_intervals = array( '60-days', '6-months', 'all', ); if ( ! in_array( $interval, $valid_intervals ) ) { $interval = 'all'; } return $interval; } public static function sanitize_key( $key, $request, $param ) { return trim( $key ); } } Fatherhood Archives | Bearded Nom Nom http://www.beardednomnom.com/category/fatherhood/ Heroes are rare, Become one! Wed, 23 Sep 2015 04:51:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 16 YouTube Channels to Watch with Your Kids https://www.beardednomnom.com/16-youtube-channels-to-watch-with-your-kids/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=16-youtube-channels-to-watch-with-your-kids Wed, 23 Sep 2015 03:57:09 +0000 http://www.beardednomnom.com/?p=257 Continue reading]]> Yeah, it’s been a long day…when you walk in the door your kids want to spend time with you but today, you’re beat! You don’t have the energy to wrestle or play a board game and you don’t want to go outside…that’s ok! Instead, settle in and enjoy these 16 YouTube Channels to Watch with Your Kids.

Just For Fun:

Zach King Vines:
This guys is genius and we LOVE watching his creations. You can also find his longer creations at his FinalCutKing Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FinalCutKing
Soul Pancake:
A fun and inspirational channel for both adults and kids where a very entertaining young kid shares his views on different things.
EvanTube:
This kid and his family are always up to something fun. Great toy reviews too!
JANGBRiCKS:
Lego Lovers Unite!! Who doesn’t love a good lego set? (as long as their not underfoot right?)
Seven Awesome Kids:
7 kids team up to create one fun YouTube Channel.

Animal Love:

Houston Zoo Channel:
For the animal lovers out there, this channel features all sorts of cool, educational animal videos.
Talking Animals:
Our favorite talking animal video is: The Ultimate Dog Tease. “The maple kind…yeah?”
Animal Planet:
You just can’t go wrong with Animal Planet…can you?
BBC Earth Unplugged:
Our planet is MIND BLOWING and BBC Earth Unplugged helps you realize it.
Kyoot Animals:
The funny animal video mecca…you’re welcome…

Thought Provoking:

Smarter Every Day:
Destin at Smarter Every Day never gets old. This guy explores the world using science and has fun doing it. This is a win win for everyone.
TedEd: Ted talks that are palatable for your kids.
MindCrafter:
While it’s still in the works, we’re a fan of this channel because, well, our son made it. Not to brag but IT’S PURE GENIUS Combine learning and MindCraft = Awesome Sauce.
Big Red Hat Kids:
Expand your kid’s mind by exploring the world through these cool videos.
It’s OK to be Smart:
A channel full of short length science videos that are ADDICTING…
History Channel:
Find a video that interests you both and dive in!

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]]> The Lost Art of Wrestling with Your Kids https://www.beardednomnom.com/the-lost-art-of-wrestling-with-your-kids/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-lost-art-of-wrestling-with-your-kids Wed, 05 Aug 2015 04:45:16 +0000 http://www.beardednomnom.com/?p=43 Continue reading]]> Yelling.

Screaming.

Breathlessness.

Sweat.

Flailing body parts.

Is it war?!?!

No…it’s just another night of wrestling in our house. Seriously, my wife says it sounds like a beast has been unleashed and is murdering our children simultaneously. Sound like chaos?

It is… The best kind.

Wrestling with your kids is a lost art and we need our own personal renaissance of this cultural past time. Think about it…I bet most of you can remember a time when you wrestled as a kid and if those memories don’t involve a merciless big brother, you most likely LOVED. EVERY. MINUTE. OF. IT.

Why?

Because…THIS.

(old footage ahead…excuse the bad quality)

Here’s 4 reasons YOU should wrestle with your kids:

Connection

Wrestling breaks down barriers while building connection between you and your kids. Life is busy and sometimes we only have a few hours a day to build a meaningful connection with our kids. Between school work, dinner, & chores sometimes more yelling and mandatory “to dos” are done than genuine connection building.

When you take time to wrestle with your child you break down any built up feelings of separation and you help your child feel close to you. There’s also an unspoken truth spoken to your children by wrestling: You are a part of something.

Think about it…how often do you find yourself wrestling with other grown men?! I personally JUST. DON’T. I would find it, well, uncomfortable. I don’t wrestle with anyone but my family. Wrestling with me is exclusive and there’s something to be said about that.

Exercise

Good GRIEF. Kids these days don’t hardly ever get outside!!! I remember the days when we’d all head out to the creek and fish for crawdads using pieces of hot dog or go riding our bikes through the neighborhood for hours…exploring, reading epic books, discovering and just being a kid.

Now kids spend the majority of their time staring at a screen. We live in a different time and our kids are experiencing life differently but they STILL NEED PHYSICAL EXERCISE! Exercise is an invaluable form of stress relief. What better way to get them to “get winded” than by playing and wrestling?

Matter of fact, it’s good for you! Instead of going to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, Friday – purposely wrestle with your kids for 20-30 minutes…you’ll get a good work out if you’re all in…especially when you have 4 kids like me.

Life Lessons

Through wrestling you have an opportunity to teach your children about life. What happens when dad is whooping everyone’s rear? Do they give up or do they band together to defeat dad? Will your child press through against resistance and a bigger, stronger foe or will they come back and try a different tactic? Wrestling helps your children simulate hard situations in a place that is safe and controlled (well, to some extent…). They can learn the power of pressing in and not giving up.

Is wrestling with your children really fair? No…because you can win every time…until they’re bigger anyway. But since it’s not fair, at some point, hopefully you’re going to let them win in some way shape or form. I don’t let mine win all the time because they do need to know that sometimes life isn’t fair but through this, children learn that wrestling together isn’t just about winning or someone being the alpha male…it’s about having fun together and considering other’s emotions and feelings. It’s the perfect opportunity to model thinking of those who have less power or ability and/or are disadvantaged for whatever reason. That’s a lesson every leader needs to learn.

Lastly, wrestling enables you to teach your child how to handle his/her emotions. When wrestling, sometimes tempers flare or a child can take things too far and hit too hard. This creates an opportunity for you to show your child how to calm themselves and play appropriately while handling his/her emotions in a healthy way.

It’s FUN

Wrestling is fun in and of itself but you can make it EPIC by adding some crazy masks or capes. Create your own character and let your kids battle it out with their arch nemesis. Don’t take yourself too seriously – let loose and have fun.

So, just do it…start connecting, teaching and best of all, build memories that will last a lifetime.

If you liked this post, you’ll probably wanna read this one:

“How to Initiate Wrestling with Your Children”

]]> 5 Back to School DAD Hacks https://www.beardednomnom.com/5-back-to-school-dad-hacks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-back-to-school-dad-hacks https://www.beardednomnom.com/5-back-to-school-dad-hacks/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:46:20 +0000 http://www.beardednomnom.com/?p=123 Continue reading]]> School time is here!!!

Here are 5 Ways You Can Rock Back to School… (This post contains affiliate links of products we like)

5 Back to School Dad Hacks

1. Take Care of Your Wife

Alright men, lets be honest…most of us let our better half take care of most of the prep work involved in the start of a new school year. Am I right? (No? Ok, well man, kudos to you – you win Dad of the year! Take the following advice for YOURSELF)

Want some brownie points? Take my advise…Give your wife a:

“You Survived the Summer” present

My wife loves Etsy. You really can’t go too wrong with an Etsy Gift card or a unique gift from there. Or check out these gift ideas.

No present money left after school supplies? That’s ok…it’s nothing that an at home date won’t fix. Go to your local store and buy some of her favorite sweets – for my wife, it’s Blue Bell Ice Cream but it could be your wife’s favorite candy bar or candy. Write a heart felt note telling her how much you appreciate all the work she’s done to take care of your family…in your own handwriting. It doesn’t have to be poetry…just a few sentences expressing your love and appreciation.

Stumped? Check out LifeHack’s 10 Ideas for Writing a Letter of Love.

After the kids are asleep, put a table cloth or sheet over the kitchen table, light a candle and put on some music…bring your wife in and have a mini date. If you want to make those brownie points increase exponentially during dinner time, take on some of her normal duties – whatever they might be…do the dishes, put the kids to bed while she relaxes…you get the point. Rack up those brownie points!

You Survived Summer

2. Back-to-School Break Outs

Steal your kids away at night so they can tell you all about school. Moms might not like this one too much but its so impactful that she’ll go for it. Put your kids to bed as usual and then 10 mins later (hopefully before they really fall asleep) wake them up and take them on a special get away. We have a RaceTrack near our home with a frozen yogurt bar so sometimes I’ll take them to get something special. As we down our late night treat, ask them questions about how school is going.

Have trouble thinking of what to ask?

Sign Up to receive Bearded Nom Nom’s “10 After School Starter Questions” via email:

OR – Take your kids on a night safari BEFORE bed. Grab a flash light and investigate the yard, search for bugs – let them lead! If you find anything interesting, sit down and talk about it…look up any specimens you find on Google. Or just simply go for a night stroll – they’ll love it!

3. Home Invasion

Plan a Home Invasion!

After a few weeks or two everyone is settling into a routine and things might be getting a little bit boring, so why not shake it up a little? Try setting up one of the following for when the kids arrive home from school (if you can’t be there before they get home from school, have your wife or relative take your kids out while you setup):

Water Balloon War – Fill up some water balloons of two different colors (forget the old fashioned way, check THESE OUT) and put them in two different laundry baskets (bags or boxes can be used instead) and tell them to pick a side (color) and meet you in the backyard. Be there ready and waiting! Want to really make them laugh? Use paint or your wife’s makeup (be gentle, they don’t really like their makeup messed with) to put on some war paint! War it out and have a snack ready for afterward. They’ll never forget it!

Nerf Gun Battle – It’s Daddy vs EVERYONE! Same premise as the water balloon war but this time it’s nerf guns and there are only two teams – YOU vs everyone (mom included). To make it fair, we think Dad should get this bad boy: Nerf CS-18 N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike

Again, think ahead and have a snack waiting when everyone is done. It doesn’t have to be fancy – maybe just fruit snacks…or popcorn.

They are Ready

Scavenger Hunt – Plan out a scavenger hunt and have a treat for the whole family once the hunt is complete. This could be a family movie night or their favorite dessert. There are so many different ways to do scavenger hunts for different age levels – check out the ideas we’ve rounded up.

4. 1st Day of School Daddy Breakfast

I don’t know how things go down in your house but on hurried mornings in our house, a Daddy Breakfast staple is DONUTS! My kids love donuts and it’s a quick and easy buy in the mornings. Little effort – great reward! ESPECIALLY if I pick up some chocolate milk to go with breakfast! Yes, the bad for you kind. But hey, if you’re health conscious – good for you…maybe you could make your own healthier version of donuts by using one of these cool things or by following this healthy recipe without that thing.

You don’t have to do donuts – my kids love biscuits & gravy, eggs and bacon OR you could do pancakes like Mickey over at YourModernDad does and REALLY win them over.

5. Start an Adventure

You hear it all the time – Reading is good for your kids…well, that’s because, it is. While I admit, my wife does most of the reading to our kids and sometimes to me – it’s never too late for you to start an adventure through one of your favorite books with your kids. Just 10 minutes of reading before bed will help your kids establish a good bed time routine when they’re starting back to school.

Here are a few of our favorites:

C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia
My Father’s Dragon By Ruth Stiles Gannett
The Boxcar Children By Gertrude Chandler Warner

I know you’re SUPERDad but don’t attempt to do all 5 hacks at once! Take it a week at a time and enjoy your kids – that’s what it’s all about!

Tell us what Dad Hack you’re going to try in the comments!

If you liked this post you will like these as well:

]]> https://www.beardednomnom.com/5-back-to-school-dad-hacks/feed/ 2 15 Fun Ways to Initiate Wrestling with Your Kids https://www.beardednomnom.com/15-fun-ways-to-initiate-wrestling-with-your-kids/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=15-fun-ways-to-initiate-wrestling-with-your-kids https://www.beardednomnom.com/15-fun-ways-to-initiate-wrestling-with-your-kids/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2015 04:08:30 +0000 http://www.beardednomnom.com/?p=60 Continue reading]]> Alright, so you’re out of practice in the “wrestling with your kids” department. That’s ok, we’ve gottcha covered!

Be Ornery

This is by far the funnest. Are you a big brother? (or sister if you’re a woman reading this) Did you pick on your siblings or your friends? Or the girl you liked in 2nd grade? Think along those lines, but NICER! You’re the adult here, remember THAT!

1. The Hip Bump – While standing next to your kid, give them a hip bump and when they look at you act like nothing happened and then do it again until they’re playfully hip bumping back.

2. Pick Them Up! – If they’re still little, pick them up and swing them around and pitch them onto a couch or bed. I’ve yet to meet a kid that didn’t love being tossed around on a bed and then tickled! It’s a fun producing combination!

3. Tickle, tickle, tickle – not to the point of urination! Resist the temptation to tickle until they pee – it won’t end well and will defeat the reasons you should be wrestling. We established a code word and I suggest that you do too. When they can’t take any more they call out the code word. Ours is “ice cream.” If you push kids too far with the tickling you can actually do damage by making them feel that they are powerless and that you don’t care enough about them to stop when they are not enjoying it anymore. Watch for this because it can go from all fun and games to I feel betrayed in 2 seconds.

4. Love Taps – Tap them on the shoulder and then walk around the other way before they see you. Then when confronted, play slap/tap them on their shoulder or tummy until they’re ready to get you.

5. Snack Time! – One of our favorites: EAT THEM! Yes, proclaim loudly, “MAN, I’m SOOO hungry!” and then grab an arm or leg and pretend naw away – this is so fun and the kids love it. Then you can give them what is commonly known as a “raspberry” (aka zerbert) and it looks something like this:

WARNING: If your kids aren’t used to you being silly and this is a new thing for you, they might take it offensively and think you’re trying to be mean. Make sure to note their facial expressions and verbally, without sarcasm, tell them, “I’m playing with you…wanna get me back?” And then let them chase you! Remember, you’re the adult and you’re creating a safe place for them to wrestle that fosters trust & connection.

Be Prepared

6. Setup a Game of Hide and Seek – This is our favorite! Our kids get the giggles as soon as they head off to find their hiding spot. Make sure to set rules. Here are some of ours: No one goes outside to hide, everyone stays in the house. No scaring by the seeker or the hider (we found it made hard feelings). No hiding in appliances, no exceptions. You can’t hide together unless it’s a older sibling helping a younger sibling. NO CHEATING!

7. Chasing Game – You can be a monster, a lion or like in our house, a wolf and then you chase them and catch them! It’s that simple – make sure to be gracious and let them slip away from your grasp from time to time.

8. Airplane Rides – In our house it’s just Super Hero Flight Time! Lay on your back, bend your knees and pull them up to your chest. Let your little one put his/her chest on your feet evenly, grab their hands to keep them safe and steady and lift!

9. Play Tug-O-War – Yeah, you can probably beat them easily but you could do it blind folded or with one hand only! Make sure you have plenty of give space behind both sides so no one gets hurt.

10. PILLOW FIGHT!!! – A good ol’traditional pillow fight…BUT if you have young ones or old ones who just don’t know their own strength you can simply change it up a little bit. You can make it to where only the kids have pillows and they go after the adults – scared? Come on, you can take it! Once you capture all the pillows, the fight is over!

11. The Resistance – Want a good little arm work out? If you’re kids are old enough, you’ll get one with this. Hold your arms out in front of you with your palms facing each other. Have your child(ren) take turns putting their hands on the outside of your hands, trying to push your hands together as you push out. Switch it around and let them put their hands between your hands and let them push out as you push in.

12. Horse Back Rides – Or Dragon Rides…whatever you want to call them…get on all fours and let them climb aboard. Let them change gears by squeezing your shoulders or gently kicking your side (sounds painful I know…but this is where they can learn how to play gently…one of the great lessons that can be learned through wrestling)

13. Indoor Sled – This was one of my favorites growing up – get out a good and used blanket (because this can tear up a blanket). One child at a time let them sit down on a blanket that’s laid flat. Have them grab the back corners – you pick up the other side of the blanket and slowly pull them. Build up speed that’s appropriate for what your child can handle. This is best on hardwood floors.

Be Musical

14. Turn it UP! – Pick some fun, up beat music and BLARE IT! Get ready to dance – dance apart, dance together, have a dancing contest but most of all be silly…this can lead right into wrestling and more fun!

Be Straight Forward

15. Keep it Real – It’s a simple as, “Hey, wanna wrestle?” There ya go!

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The Lost Art of Wrestling with Your Kids

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