I recently came across a site that has some great stuff for all you family first entrepreneurs out there. FamilyFirst.net is a parent site that offers access to three great sites for parents; AllProDad.com, imom.com, and MyFamilyMinute.com. All three sites offer tips and inspiration for parents through videos, blogs, and podcasts.

I have spent quite a bit of time on AllProDads.com and I love what they are doing. All Pro Dads works with many NFL coaches and players to offer events and support information for fathers. In fact, recently retired Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy, has started blogging for All Pro Dads. Mr. Dungy was a great coach, but more importantly, he is a great man. I wrote a blog on him a while back. You can read it here.

Though All Pro Dads has a sports theme, there is much more to it than sports. Dungy, and site owner, Mark Merrill talk about many different aspects of parenting, faith and family encouragement. I would highly encourage you all to check it out.

Here is an example of what you can expect from Merrill’s blog on All Pro Dads and The Family Minute. I chose this short blog post because I felt like I was reading one of my own posts. We share a passion for our children and when it comes to spending time with them, our views are one in the same. 

Not Quality Time… Try Quantity Time.

April 8th, 2009

People always say “time is money.”  I say “time is love.”  As today’s Play of the Day noted, it’s spending one-on-one time with our children, not money, that demonstrates love.  Spend more time with them.

We want to believe the myth that all we need is quality time with our kids.  But, our kids need quantity time.  Have you ever heard your child say to you, “Mom, Dad, we have played way too much.  Why don’t you go back to work and get some things done.”  Of course not.  They want quantity time.

Now, I want you to remember that your time with your child does not have to be some big, planned, vacation, lengthy event or activity.  Just grab what I call, “small pockets of time” with your child.

It helps me to have all of my kids sports and school activities on my calendar, even if I can’t make all of them, so that I can make sure to work as much of it into my day as possible.  Right after a business lunch, I dropped by my daughter, Megan’s, school pep rally to watch for just 20 minutes before returning to the office…just a small pocket of time to connect with my daughter.

And, every month, on each of my kids birthday dates, I take them somewhere they want to go. For example, Emily’s birthday is March 10.  So on the 10^th of each month, it’s her turn.  It may be something as simple as going bike riding or getting hot chocolate before school.

Be there and be connected in those small pockets of time.

Mark