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A collection of thoughts and stories to educate, entertain and inspire. June 2022 WHAT SHOULD FATHERHOOD LOOK LIKE? P ACKARD P RESS The My Best Advice as a Dad of 6
For a few hours every evening, I transform into a poet — but only for an audience of little ears. It’s the sweetest moment of my day. At twilight, our youngest kids brush their teeth, wash their faces, and tuck themselves up in bed. Then, they ask me the question:
“Dad, can you sing a song?”
Even my 12-year-old wants to hear a few verses before drifting off. So, every night, I make up a limerick to sing to them on the spot. They peep their heads up, hold their breath, and listen because they know it’s part performance and part game. “The lights are out/ And it’s time to sleep/ Don’t make a noise/ Not even a peep/ And if you can’t doze/ You must start counting … goats.” “No, sheep!” they yell, giggling. Even 4-year-old Clark can pick out the word that doesn’t rhyme. All of the little ones drift off to dreamland with smiles on their faces knowing they’ve beat Dad again. I have a special place in my heart for bedtime, but it’s not the only part of the day I spend with my kids. I try to squeeze in as much quality time with them as I can. Once a week, we have family night — and a few times a month that means a talent show. We all take turns showcasing our skills on a makeshift stage in front of the fireplace. Absolutely anything goes! My oldest daughters perform music they’ve written. The youngest shows off his finger paintings. My wife proves that she really can open doors with her feet, and I do handstands and attempt to rap like The Sugarhill Gang. The kids are always amazed to see Daddy balancing on his hands. I can even hum and beat box at the same time! Other evenings we immerse ourselves in playing board games, card games, and Dungeons & Dragons. Many great nights have ended with Settlers of Catan pieces strewn across the kitchen table and kids curled up half-asleep in their chairs. On weekends, we venture outside to walk, swim, or go geocaching. When the oldest were small their favorite thing was to play the “Monster Game” on the trampoline. They’d jump around in a circle with me — the big scary monster — trapped in the middle. I leapt and lunged, managing to “just miss” their little 4- and 7-year-old shoulders until I finally got in a good tackle. Of course, as soon as I snatched one of them up, I became the kissy monster!
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what we do together. Time itself creates the bond of friendship I take pride in every Father’s Day. Years ago, my dad gave me the best piece of fatherhood advice I’ve ever heard. “Son,” he said, “you’ve gotta be on the same side as your kids. Play for the same team and give ’em no doubt you’re their friend. When they have that love and respect for you, they’ll listen. Now they won’t always do what you say, but they’ll listen!” Dad also taught me another lesson. Once, when I was 15 years old, I came home from a canoe trip with bright orange hair. I tried to bleach my mop of hair blonde with hydrogen peroxide, and it had gone orange under the sun. I thought it was pretty cool! I thought Dad would make me dye it but he just laughed and shook his head. “One day when you’re a father, your children will do something silly, like come home with incredibly ugly hair, and you’ll have to decide whether to fight about it,” he said. “A smart man picks his battles.” So, to me, the key to being a good dad is spending time with my kids. I want them to know deep down to their core that we will always be together. And I want them to remember that wherever we are, and whatever we do, whether near or far, we’re together, like … tape.
Happy Father’s Day!
– Michael Packard
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IT’S DAD’S DAY! 6 Gifts Dad Is Sure to Love Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges! Wallet Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! Massage Gun Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just a tough workout, a massage gun will do the trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon! Apple Watch Strap Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants. A New Cooler Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! Tool Bucket Organizer Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy! Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.
An Uphill Battle for Car Crash Compensation In February 2020, Rachel Clason was on her way to a doctor’s appointment when another car swerved into her lane, cutting her off. INSURANCE COVERED EVERY PENNY!
Rachel slammed on the brakes. But it wasn’t enough.
The car behind her smashed into her bumper, launching her vehicle forward. When the honking finally quieted, Rachel’s car was crumpled and sandwiched between two other vehicles. The accident left Rachel with neck and back pain her doctors said may be permanent. “I already have a lot of health problems that I’ve had for quite a long time, so the car accident was just one more piece to an awful puzzle,” she says. Rachel and her husband felt overwhelmed. They weren’t sure how to pay Rachel’s medical bills. Fortunately, a lightbulb went off: They realized they went to church with two personal injury attorneys — Sam and Michael Packard! “They were super helpful, super kind, and they invited us into the office so they could give us more information. From there we started the very lengthy process of making sure I was taken care of,” Rachel says. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed Rachel’s case down, but we never stopped fighting for her, even when her military family had to move away from Texas. “My husband and I weren’t really sure what to expect, but when we got that first number, the Packard office explained what it would cover and what would be left. They were always great about giving all of the information, then giving their recommendations and making sure we knew they would always support whatever we decided,” she said. The initial offer was too low, so we continued negotiating. We didn’t give up until we got an offer covering every penny of Rachel’s medical bills! “It’s something you always worry about, right? You don’t want to be stuck with bills for something you had no control over, something absolutely not your fault,” Rachel reflects. “It was really nice to have somebody in our corner looking out for us and making sure we were taken care of.” If you know someone who has been hurt in a car accident, let them know we can help them, just like we helped Rachel.
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PLANNING A ROAD TRIP?
Try These 7 Tips to Stay Awake
2. Use the ice cube trick. Stash a bag of ice in a cooler and suck on a piece whenever you get drowsy. 3. Listen to audiobooks. Check CDs out from the library or try an app like Audible (Audible.com) to find stories that will keep you engaged and awake. 4. Crank up the music. This is a great alternative if you’re not an audiobook person. 5. Stretch it out. Pull over when needed to shake it out, touch your toes, or go for a walk to get your blood flowing. 6. Pick a driving buddy. If you can, plan a driving schedule where you and another adult switch off behind the wheel. 7. Play a road trip game. Make a scavenger hunt list and engage everyone in the car in spotting the items on it; look for the letters A–Z on road signs, or find license plates from every state to keep your brain engaged. If the worst happens and you do get in a crash, you need to talk to us to see how we can help. Even if the wreck was your fault, you should still call. We can be reached at 210-756-5399 .
Summer is prime road trip season — which is both exciting and nerve-wracking for us lawyers! On one hand, we love road tripping with our families (Michael will even pack all six kids into the van!), but on the other, road trips often end in car accidents. Think about it: If you’re driving for hours, you’re more likely to get drowsy behind the wheel than you would on your daily commute or on your way to the grocery store. This is a recipe for disaster because drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), staying awake for 18 hours has the same effect on your coordination, judgment, and reaction time as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. Staying up for 24 hours is the equivalent of 0.10% BAC — above the legal driving limit! We’d hate to see you get in a road trip wreck this summer. Try these seven tips to stay safe and awake, and share them with your friends and family. 1. Nap before you go. If you can limit the total hours you have to stay awake, you’ll be a safer driver.
GRILLED CORN AND RICOTTA DIP
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Saveur.com
Ingredients
6 ears of corn
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated 2 tbsp unsalted butter, diced Chives and scallions, finely chopped
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1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups ricotta
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp thyme, finely chopped Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a large grill pan, cook the corn until charred on all sides. Let cool, then cut the kernels from the cob. 3. In a food processor or blender, purée two-thirds of the kernels with the cream, ricotta, flour, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in remaining whole kernels. 4. Pour into an 8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, and dot with butter. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours, until bubbly. 5. Garnish with chives and scallions before serving.
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1100 NW Loop 410, Ste 100 San Antonio, TX 78213 210-756-5399 | PackardFirm.com/newsletter
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The Packard Family Is Here to Help Your Family Personal Injury Social Security Disability Car Accidents Special Needs Planning
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Michael Shares Fatherhood Advice
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Father’s Day Gift Guide We Fought for Rachel — And Won! 7 Ways to Stay Awake on a Road Trip Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip
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Solitary Guinea Pigs: Illegal in Switzerland?
ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER Why Swiss Guinea Pigs Must Come in Pairs
It’s a case where truth is stranger than fiction. In Switzerland, many animals have “social rights” and must be allowed to mingle with members of their species. As a result, Swiss residents cannot own a single guinea pig. It all began with new guidance the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office rolled out in 2008. There are a few head-scratching provisions, but the one most likely to affect your average pet owner concerns animals that must be kept in groups. The list contains mice, goldfish, and parakeets, but guinea pigs are probably the most popular pet included. The Swiss government is actually onto something — guinea pigs are social animals. They cuddle, vocalize, play, and eat together.
traps people in an endless guinea pig cycle. What’s a person to do if they want out? Enter Priska Küng, an animal lover who runs a rent-a-guinea-pig service. Küng has been breeding guinea pigs since she was 12, and she now “sells” them for a low fee and refunds half upon the animal’s return. Through her work, she helps guinea pig owners who need to stay within the bounds of the law but either aren’t ready to adopt or eventually want to get out of the guinea pig game. Don’t worry. Küng makes it a point to rent out each guinea pig only once. When they return to her care, they’re “retired” and live out the rest of their lives in one place, among guinea pig friends. In some cases, the guinea pigs may only be gone for days or weeks before their new friend passes away. Other times, they may be gone for years.
Human companionship alone cannot replace this bond, and single guinea pigs can become depressed, lonely, and even ill. The law makes for happy guinea pigs, but it puts their owners in a bind. If a person only has two guinea pigs and one passes away, they would generally need to adopt another. But two guinea pigs are unlikely to die together, so it
Küng’s job may sound easy, but guinea pigs have preferences in their companions just like humans. So, she has become a match-maker who considers age, sex, and personality to create the perfect pair. It’s not exactly Guinea Pig Tinder, but it might result in more long-lasting relationships.
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