A recent New York Times article pointed to a new marketing trend that was emerging in various grocery stores for products containing sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.

Because the ingredient used is sugar, the word “natural” can be used as an ad slogan or banner on the packaging, according to the article.

Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, told the news provider these kinds of ads are misleading consumers.

“When [consumers] discover they are being misled into thinking these new products are healthier, that’s the interesting angle,” Erickson said.

Some scientists have stated sugar, in high doses, may be just as harmful as high-fructose corn syrup.

Two products that appear to be jumping onto the sugar/natural bandwagon are Pepsi Natural soda and Healthy Choice All Natural frozen entrees.

A new study may also give fathers more cause to worry about the foods their children may want them to buy. A study published in the journal Obesity Reviews found that 89 percent of food items marketed directly to children had poor nutritional quality.

Fathers who are determined to shop healthily in the grocery store may have to put a little extra effort into their parenting skills.

WebMD suggests fathers plan the week’s meals ahead of time and focus on the produce section of the grocery store to ensure healthy buying. If you do end up in other aisles, fathers should strive to get the least-processed foods available and to look to see if products were made with whole grains.

There are whole grain versions of breads, pastas and rice to choose from. For children with a more advance palette, fathers may want to try serving fish at least twice a week, which is the recommendation from the American Heart Association to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular problems in the future.

In practical terms, what are social skills?

1. A one on one communication where listening is a give and take interaction and each party intends to understand the messages conveyed.

2. A skill that is acquired through continuous learning. As you interact you begin to learn the aspects of personality of the person you are talking to. You begin to understand the person as to where he or she is coming from and you try to put yourself in his shoes as he relates his past experiences. You are able to draw out impressions of what he is really like and you try to act in a way that is within the appropriate norms.

3. Socials skills have two aspects – verbal and non-verbal. A person with good verbal social skills knows how to say the appropriate things at the right time, has the ability to communicate freely and get the conversation flowing smoothly, is capable of using the appropriate vocal tone and quality and able to convey the message in an educated and understandable manner.

A person with good non-verbal skills knows how to use bodily movement at an appropriate time. Your gestures enable you to convey your message clearly through actions. Your posture, your eye contact, your voice tone and facial expression are non-verbal social skills. Please take note that too many gestures can over kill. Do not over do it.

4. Social skills are influenced by culture and by a particular social group. A person’s social skills are based on how he or she was brought up. Most often, our behavior is brought about by our culture. A person’s social skills differ from one another. A kiss and hug on the cheek as a welcome gesture may not be a socially accepted gesture in some conservative countries.

5. Your social skills will improve as your self-esteem and worth are reinforced. It feels good to be rewarded with praise from others. One tends to be motivated and relaxed in carrying out the task when there is support at hand.

How you behave during interactions, how you put your words together, your adaptability to the environment you are in, and the way you handle matters at hand are factors that determine how your personality is judged. It is not enough to have the ready smile and feel confident. It’s not about looks; it’s not about what you know that draws people to like you. It is all about who you are, what you do, how you do things and how others see you that you are judged. Learning what social skills are will help you get the reward of feeling accepted. Step forward and be recognized.

For some fathers, wrestling and playing video games with their kids can lead to some light teasing on both sides, especially if you are losing. While it may not seem like it, recent studies have found that this practice of teasing can be a helpful parenting skill in improving a child’s social development.

New research from the National Communication Association found teasing can be a positive experience in child development because it teaches them “how to show affection and deal with conflict.”

“Research shows us that even very young children can recognize that teasing is not always bad; that sometimes it can be a fun way to play with friends and family,” said Carol Bishop Mills, one of the authors of the study.

This may include a light-hearted “I don’t think you’re gonna make it!” during a video game or a good-humored “You think you can take down the old man? Have at it!” before some playful wrestling.

The key, according to the researchers, is to make sure everyone is laughing and having a good time. They suggest fathers use their parenting skills to identify if the teasing crosses over to bullying.

If some slight aggression does emerge from the teasing, fathers can use the opportunity to teach their child about the difference between teasing and bullying, which may help the child in a school environment.

This somewhat loose approach toward parenting can benefit a child’s social, physical and intellectual development, according to Dr. Kyle Pruett, a professor of child psychiatry at Yale and author of Fatherneed.

By engaging children in this nontraditional manner, fathers may also develop strong bonds with their kids that may not have been formed another way.