The Spilled Milk Test

Want to get a barometer on your spiritual life and how serene you are? Have your child spill their glass at the dinner table? No, don't ask them to, just wait. Eventually, the glass will spill because someone is screwing around or reaches for something or it gets set down on the edge of a … Continue reading The Spilled Milk Test →

We Know About the Coronavirus Already

Hopefully, you have learned to moderate your news consumption during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Three-and-a-half months in I've learned that all I really need is 15 minutes of news, twenty if I want to read an article or two in depth. It's good to keep up on any new developments of how the virus transmits, … Continue reading We Know About the Coronavirus Already →

Dad, What Can I Do?

Here it comes. There are occational moments around my house where my almost seven-year-old son will say, "What can I do? There's nothing to do." I'm a fixer, so I've always been quick to list off a number of things after suggesting he help with cleaning up. But here is why I'm thinking of switching … Continue reading Dad, What Can I Do? →

Parents Take Care of Kids by Taking Care of Themselves

According to this blurb, parents who practice self care help their kids by: 1. Lowering stress levels 2. Teaching our children to value their health and wellbeing 3. Being better, healthier, calmer parents That's all great in theory. And it makes perfect sense. When I'm in better health, I'm much more patient with my kids. I … Continue reading Parents Take Care of Kids by Taking Care of Themselves →

Want to Stop Reacting to Your Conclusions? Seek to Understand.

He did it. The coach told my son to leave the club sport. The story according to my six-year-old son was that he was hanging out, playing on the mats (not playing basketball,) and the coach asked him to leave. The school then called to pick him up early. Proverbs 4:7 says to get wisdom. … Continue reading Want to Stop Reacting to Your Conclusions? Seek to Understand. →

Who’s the Teacher and Who’s the Student Here?

Read books and blogs. Talk with other parents. Go to birthing classes, even parenting classes, before your baby comes. All a good idea, but nothing will truly prepare you for parenthood than actually becoming a parent. The weight of responsibility. The financial costs. The energy they have. The stubbornness they deliver. The temper-tantrums. All will … Continue reading Who’s the Teacher and Who’s the Student Here? →

How God Sees Us and How Dads Want to Be Seen

Becoming a father was quite an overwhelming experience. There are books, groups, friends, blogs and resources to help a soon-to-be father wrap his mind around what is about to happen, but nothing really prepared me for the all-inspiring and humbling experience of holding my fresh, newborn son in my hands. The feeling of overwhelm didn't … Continue reading How God Sees Us and How Dads Want to Be Seen →

Working to Stay Poop Proud

It's amazing how excited kids get about passing a stool, a turd, a crap, a bowel movement. Whatever you call it, this is the one thing we all have in common but some may even consider the topic "taboo," as it does in the description of the recent movie Poop Talk. My daughter potty trained … Continue reading Working to Stay Poop Proud →

Why Short-term Memory Loss May Help You Be A Better Dad

I've told my son countless times when he's asked me where something is that he is going to have to learn to keep track of his own stuff, and that I have a hard enough time keeping track of where my belongings are. And I'm not just making it up to get out of helping … Continue reading Why Short-term Memory Loss May Help You Be A Better Dad →

Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones, but I’m Ignoring Your Words that Hurt Me

A teacher enrichment day following Thanksgiving added another day to the long Thanksgiving break to total six days off in a row. The last day fell on a Monday, and I drew the straw to take the day off of work. My first-grade son chose to go to The Works Museum, a children's museum focusing on … Continue reading Sticks & Stones May Break My Bones, but I’m Ignoring Your Words that Hurt Me →