Things are finally in order (or close enough) here at RD Headquarters, and I have a stack of stuff to share that could keep me busy from here until Father's Day. Thanks to all who e-mailed to share interesting bits during my unexpected hiatus; I expect to get to them all.

Let me start with the oldest item in the basket, this press release from a University of Delaware prof who found that kids whose dads come to school are more successful. In some ways, this is pretty much "no kidding" territory, but I'm surprise at how many uber-Yuppies, who are eager to pay thousands of dollars to boost their kid's education, seem to miss the involved-dad message.

Switching topics: the debate over the Family and Medical Leave Act is apparently not over. The first round of FMLA-changes-in-the-works stories hit in February, and I had hoped that the generally pro-FMLA press had driven the idea off of the administration agenda. Apparently not: last month, USA Today got in on the action, which suggests this remains a pitched battle. (Thanks, Chip. The USA Today story was a good look at the topic, but the final paragraph says it all:

"It's a management problem, not a problem of the FMLA," says Marie Alexander, CEO of Quova, a Mountain View, Calif.-based start-up that allows companies to determine where Internet users are located. "Everyone is saying there's a productivity loss with the law, but there would be a greater productivity loss without it in place."

Finally (for today), I bring you this piece of advice from USA Weekend (thanks, Chip, again). In short, if you're a stay-at-home dad with an oft-traveling spouse, your lack of sex drive could be the result of "unresolved macho issues" and you must talk about your feelings (something "most men aren't hard-wired to do"). I don't know whether to laugh or cry ...

Tags: SAHD blog media dad father FMLA