I thought that since there's a new season coming up that I'd throw in my thoughts about ideas for new episodes and I'm sure there are other dad's out there with better ideas than me who'd like to chime in. <br><br>The number one parenting topic on my mind lately is college savings plans. There's a TON of info out there about this topic, some of it conflicting, and I haven't made any steps in starting up an account because the thought of it makes my head hurt. I live in a state (Washington) that does not have a 529 plan, so that leaves me looking at other state's plans. And now that the economy is in the toilet I can't help but wonder if I should just keep my money in a traditional savings account instead. It's SO frustrating and confusing, and a week of dadlabs on this topic would be very helpful.

I like that idea of talking about college savings plans. We had a hard time figuring it out and have actually started a one year cd for 3% and we just save money each year and then add it to that. I would like to hear all of what is out there.<br><br>Also considering our conversation on Family Wheels it would really be neat to see a bunch of vehicles that are very family friendly (mini-vans, cars, SUV's). I know we spent a lot of time looking for some space and fuel economy, but I know there is more to finding really good cars for families, especially ones with some neat extra features.

I like both of those topics!<br><br>There seems to be a lot of chatter lately about the whole raw versus pasteurized milk controversy. The contention is that raw, fresh milk has loads of useful bacteria and such that can really boost a child's immune system. But of course, many are concerned about the potential health risks. Might be a worthy topic to explore.<br><br>Also, kinda on a similar topic, what about the expose your kid to everything camp versus the germophobes? I'm of the former category, hoping that it'll help bolster his immune system so he won't be prone to frequent illness later on.<br><br>And one more idea, how early should you begin to make financial moves that will help establish a credit history for your kid(s). Do things like savings or checking accounts for teens (or pre-teens) make sense? That topic might be a little broad, but it's certainly something I've wondered about.

Hi Rob O,<br><br>I think your question about credit history for kids is a really good one.<br><br>I do not claim to be an expert in this area, but I do know that bank accounts do not establish credit history (for kids or adults). The only way to establish a credit history is to borrow money.....i.e. your credit history/score has absolutely nothing to do with how much money you have.<br><br>My own credit history goes back to 1992, the year that I applied for my first credit card in college.

Wow. I like all of these. Milk has been on the topics whiteboard for too long now. I'm moving that puppy up to the top of the heap.

I'm really excited about this discussion because WE WILL DO THESE! Just about every time an idea comes in from a viewer, we've shot it. the college savings thing is pretty painful for me personally, because my wife and I made this a priority in our lives for a decade, and we really took a hit. It used to be pretty abstract, but now our oldest is 8 years from college. It's a long time, but no longer abstract.<br><br>Anyway, on the car front, I'd love to do more. We did go to the Ford plant last week and those episodes should be out soon. More cars on the way.

Ouch! I know so many parents who are currently in this same boat with loosing money on existing college savings accounts due to the economic downturn. I guess that makes this topic even more relevant, because now what? I mean really, if 529 isn't really a great way to go even with all the tax benifits and whatnot then what is???

Since DadLabs took a week off last week (slackers), I was looking through some of the older videos on the site in order to get my daily DadLabs fix. I actually came across an older video about saving for college. In the video, Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad ran a scenario that paid for tuition with 33% savings, 33% debt and 33% monthly cash flow. I thought you guys did an excellent job of laying out a detailed scenario with concrete savings targets.<br><br>Obviously, everyone wants to save for college. But without attaching some real numbers to that goal, it remains very abstract. I find myself much more motivated if I have a very exact goal, such as: save $200/mo for the next 18 years.<br><br>So I guess my point is that the more details you can include, the better.<br><br>I have also read that 529 savings plans are not always the best savings vehicle. For example, if you have a very large 529 account balance, that will be reported on your FAFSA financial aid application as an available asset to pay for college, and the amount of financial aid you are eligible for will be greatly reduced (i.e. in typical gov't fashion, you won't get any help from the gov't because you have just a little bit too much money already). I wonder if there are any experts out there who have ideas on good NON-529 investment vehicles for college savings.

One question that has been on my mind is when is it OK to let your child sleep with a pillow? I have a 14 month old that loves to lay his head down on pillows anytime he finds one, but we aren't sure when it's safe to actually actually let him sleep with one.

Sean inspired another episode idea in his video camera thread. I'd like to see a week of photo and video tips/tricks/and gear. Things to help shoot(vid or stills) that birthday party, play/recital, vacation, etc. with run of the mill cams. Maybe even a week of behind the scenes looks at shooting a Lab, Loung, Daditude, and GearDaddy episode. Homemade gear? (a personal favorite topic) I know I'd love to see a behind the scenes look at some of Owens music vids. <br><br>As I stated in the other thread, there are tons of ideas out there on videography, but adding that special touch of DadLabs would be cool. Particularly since they are neck deep in high volume video production. Even if it's with pro, or pro-sumer level gear. Daddy Troy? You up for it?

Would LOVE to hear Big Daddy T's thoughts on the topic. The dude obviously knows how to make video look good on a shoestring budget. The video even looks good out in the field, at trade shows, etc.. That's hard to pull off, especially at trade shows.<br><br>But I'm not sure if Daddy Troy knows about this community forum. Somebody might have to clue him in.

Public Schools, Private Schools & Charter Schools. What's the Dif?<br>More Books with Daddy Owen!<br>I think a DadLabs in the Kitchen series would be a hoot.<br>More Wikipoopia!<br>Volunteering with kids (teaching to give)<br>The ins and outs of playgroups. (This seems to be genetic with women.)<br>Dad Attire i.e. diaper bags, how to dress for daddy duty while not looking homeless (because you contain everything you need for a three day weekend on your person)<br>Evaluating babysitters.<br>Household safety topics like pesticide labels, drawer and cabinet locks, what to look for in baby gates.<br>Mo' Music!

Awesome ideas! (Except for Wikipoopia...that's a bad idea...I would like to vote against that idea).

How to dress for daddy duty while not looking homeless <---- EXCELLENT!<br><br>Oh yea, me too Sean... I won't say cancel the segment, but I don't need to see expanded Wikipoopia for reals.

Mo' Music!<br><br>Asylum Street Spankers put out a children's album. They really did. They're based in Austin, so that might just be a slam dunk.<br><br>I feel the need to add that I've been wanting to see a Bloopers Reel.

Isn't it all a blooper reel?

Awesome. The attire idea reminds me of the military books I read as a kid with the diagram of the soldier with arrows to each piece of gear.

Too funny Ben. I like the Dad Attire part. Definitely more books with the rather entertaining welshman!

So we have a NEW SHOW that's all about activities, games, sports, outings, experiences -- stuff dads can DO with their kids. I would love suggestions on that topic as well.

Do I even have to say it?

You must be referring to flatland BMX?

Funny. That's a pretty obscure reference. Must've been a biker at some point huh Sean? I've always wondered, if it's flatland doesn't it cease to be MX (let alone the M is supposed to be MOTO)...<br><br>And I'm gonna throw the idea of doing and interview with THE skate icon... who has a son that absolutely rips... and talk to HIM about being a SkateDad... yea, THAT guy... Tony Hawk. (I'm a bit of a fanboy.)

Well, when I was into it, we just called it freestylin'. We bought BMX bikes, bolted on fork stands, rear axle pegs, and gyros. Dino DeLuca, Eddie Haro, all those dudes were our idols. The movie Rad was our bible. We invented that chit, man!<br><br>But, nowadays, from what I understand, it's called flatland, not freestylin'.<br><br>Really, really miss those days....

I tried it a bit (very little) but never had the balance one wheel, and ya gotta be able to do that, and I had a crappy bike. So I ended up on a board. I can still do peg stands though! HA! I do really like watching the Vert Bike contests. (AST Dew Tour, X-Games) The stuff they do is amazing. Mira, Bestwick, DMC, Kagey, Robinson... crazy old dudes.

Hey CN -- would you consider making a How to take your kids skating video for dadlabs? You wouldn't even have to do the editing -- you could just ship us the raw footage and we could cut it up. Whaddaya think?