With about seven minutes remaining before we needed to be out the door to catch the school bus, my first-grade son melted down because his socks were too tight. I'm not the dad who can remember which clothes fit, nor am I the dad who proactively vets his kid's clothes when they jump sizes, and … Continue reading The Socks Are Too Tight, so Who Forces Who?
My grandfather's generation is the Korean War generation. The Silent Generation known for hard work and keeping quiet. Growing up, these kids were expected to be seen and not heard and also expected to carry their load and either work the farm or help in the family business to support the household. Then there is … Continue reading Perfecting Childhood
I've decided to add a word to the list of swear words in our house: Can't. My six-year-old was invited to a rollerskating parting, and it what his first time wearing wheels on his feet. He was eager to try but, as it goes when you're learning to skate, quickly fell on his butt. He … Continue reading Newly Added to List of Swear Words: Can’t
I was given this mug when I was seven years old. I vaguely remember an ivy of some sort growing out of the soil, planted into its "no spill" design. I loved everything about it, the color, the design, the sail boats. I received this cup during a week in the hospital for the removal … Continue reading No Saving
We're running a challenging little experiment in our house. Challenging because it constitutes finding 10 minutes twice a day for each parent to spend with each child. Amy McCready calls this 10-minutes, twice per day, per adult caregiver Mind, Body & Soul time in her book If I have to Tell You One More Time...The Revolutionary … Continue reading Raising Kids in Just 10 Minutes Twice A Day
Twenty driving hours in the car, countless pit stops and thousands of crumbs and spills. And probably less than three of these hours included a device. Summer road trip season is an exciting time with lots of planning, packing, prepping and packing some more, especially when it involves a potty-training toddler and a very busy … Continue reading What!? No Movies for the Road-Trip?
"I will kill you mother f*&^$%. I will stab you," she said. And there was more. A full on rant. I can't seem to recall additional pieces of the swearing that was taking place but it seemed to go on and on. This wasn't the latest Netflix series, so there was no mute button for … Continue reading Can You Please Watch Your Mouth?
To my six-year-old son and my two-year-old daughter, Thanks for spending Father's Day with me. Okay, so you didn't really have a choice. And at this age, you still want to, but in the spirit of Dad's Day I thought I'd write you a quick letter with some dad tips to look back on. All … Continue reading A Post-Father’s Day Letter to My Kids: You’re My Hope for the Future
My son's school has a uniform. The last week of school and he wanted to wear gym shoes instead of the more formal black standards. My first reaction was no, it's not a gym day. Can't. Then I recall how I always reacted to no or can't. Yup, I was one of those don't tell … Continue reading Substituting a Why or a What or a How: Paths to a Two-Way Relationship
For those of us in the grown up role, fathering and mothering young children, the mundane and necessary can be something to fear or even procrastinate. Shopping for groceries for example, is often scheduled sans kids. Dinner prep can be a time to fear. Laundry is a never ending chore. Never mind basic cleaning to … Continue reading Involving Your Kids in the Mundane and Necessary
