The Damn Newsletter -- Damn Parenting 101

Greetings and Salutations,

It's amazing what a month can change. I've had 3 different ways to start this newsletter in the last week and it has all changed due to weather, holidays, or events...guess I need to get with the times. Here is your Damn Newsletter!

Is anyone paying attention to what's going on in the Middle East? Please tell me you are educating yourself and not just saying "I'm an American why care about the rest of the world" Besides for the fact that everytime some conflict happens there, you pay more in gas...you have to realize we're all connected. Egypt being liberated for about a month are so is exciting and scary. You don't know who's gonna run the country or who's gonna influence. Plus it started a chain reaction. Since Egypt there has been Syria, Morocco, Djibouti, Iraq, Somolia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. 9 countries before Egypt starting as early as December 18th. That's a lot going on in almost 3 months. You may want to pay attention...





Some of you may know about my plans to expand the Damn Newsletter. Well, I continue to working on it, feel free to go a head and like The Damn Newsletter Facebook page.
Here's the link:

In addition to that I will start a 30 day Picture Challenge (that seems to be all the rage of Facebook)on March 1st in order let some of you get to know me better exclusively on The Damn Newsletter. Hey it's gotta be somewhat entertaining...so check it out!



Old School Joint of the Week



I absolutely love Big Boi's verse...

It's shout out time!!! Shout Out of the Week goes out to...Kristina Davis!!! My little sister...this is well deserved. I have watched you for years...well because you're a little creppy and you made me slightly uncomfortable. But you have blossomed into a beautiful young lady inside and out. (Yes, no the world knows that I think you're beautiful) Honestly, I'm proud of you. You're very talented can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Oh and since you also gave me the idea for the 30 Day Challenge on Facebook...I guess...thank you? Lol.



I'm trying to save my thoughts and editorials for my new tumblr page...yes I know another social network for me...(http://mydamnlifeuncensored.tumblr.com)but I was inspired to write this. I have to say I'm lucky to have a smart, talented daughter and be a pretty good dad. (I mean there's always room for improvement in anything and everything you do)But once in a while I get people that come up to me and give me kudos on me being the type of father I am. After I dismiss the comments (hey being a father is the one thing in my life I DON'T look to have my ego stroked by doing it), I say to myself..."Self, what are the top 5 things you can do to be the father YOU want to be." Well, I'm so glad you asked...here they are

5) Play with your kids - You can't just put some toys in a room, place the kid there, and go off to do what you want. (I mean sometimes you can but...uh...I digress) Kids have to be interacted with. They want to have their most favorite people in the entire world playing with them. My fondest memories are of my dad and me wrestling together and Brooklyn and me playing the countless number of games, fake dramas, and plan ol' goofy scenes that only we can create together.

4) Be a good example - Do as I say and not as I do just doesn't cut it. Kids learn mostly by what they see and what they are exposed to. If you are a wine sipping, curse word fling, bad manners having, sarcastic a$$hole...you know like myself, you can't be that person in front of your child. I can't tell Brooklyn to say yes ma'am and no ma'am or put her hand over her mouth when I yawn, if I'm not doing it. (sorry about the yawn thing mom...I'm working on it...lol.) Be that beacon of light for your kids.

3) Foster a solid relationship with your co-parent - In the risk of revealing too much (like that happens), I have not always had the greatest relationship with my co-parent. (a Jarratt "Damn" Butler original term) Erika and I have been all over the proverbial spectrum but one thing that has always been a constant is that we want the best for our daughter. I willing to bet my co-parent will agree, we're a team when it comes to Brooklyn and it's always better to be in good standing with your teammate. Some parents may not be as fortunate to have a friendship (or relationship depending on your situation) that I enjoy with my co-parent, but my advice it to work at it. It only benefits the child in the long run.

2) Decisions: Consideration for the kids you're raising - Okay, y'all know I had to do Jesse Jackson slogan for one of these points...I couldn't resist! Lol. Big decisions that you make must have your kid as a factor even if you don't live close to them. I carefully consider my vacation days because I never know if I need to take a 12 hour drive. How you spend money, who you should date, who you expose your kids around, shoot, what you eat on a regular basis should be decisions that have your kids in mind. I'm not saying base everything you do off of them...I mean it's your life. Just consider the people who could be affected.

1) Listen... - Listen...it's not just a Beyonce song off the Dreamgirls soundtrack. It's extremely important. Your kids have a voice...even if they don't you it to formulate words yet. Their actions, mannerisms, words, and so much more tells you so much. It tells you directly or indirectly what they want, need, desire, and require. (sorry I went to the rhyming again...ha!) If you don't have any of the other ones down from this list...get this one down. The rest will follow!

Now, I know I have no authorize or expert tutorlege to give anyone when it comes to parenting. I have a 3 year old daughter and she keeps me on my toes. But I do learn something everyday whether I'm physically exposed to her or not, and I always want to be a better father today than I was yesterday. Hopefully that attitude will determine my altitude (one more rhyme for the road!) but...

Those are just my thoughts...right or wrong...just what I was feeling at the time!!!