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
People are fearful. Our antiquated lizard brain has helped keep us alive through fear for thousands of years. Here are some of the most common phobias: Social phobias or self-consciousness in social situations. Agoraphobia: fear of open spaces. Acrophobia: fear of heights. Pteromerhanophobia: fear of flying. Claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces. Entomophobia: fear of insects. … Continue reading Who Decides What’s Scary and What’s Not?
We emerged from the seven day family road trip that involved five nights of camping in the Blackhills of SD, and the only person with clean clothes remaining was my wife. An hour on the road with a five and one year old can seem like a half-day. Snacks are crucial, but can give way … Continue reading The Ultimate Test of Spiritual Fitness: Family Tent Camping for Five Nights
Television is a reward for my four-year old son. After acknowledgement of deeds well done, good behavior and self control, he can turn in the six reward coins for a walk to the park, special play time with mom or dad, or choice of his favorite TV show. These coins, "special" coins, not from the … Continue reading Why I Try to Shelter My Kids From Trump
My son has been to many of weddings for someone a little over four years of life under his belt. He is at the perfect age for running around the reception, dancing, getting hopped up on sugar and entertaining people of all ages. He’s slow to warm up, but my four year-old eventually joined a … Continue reading Getting Back Up After Getting Knocked Down: A Lesson From My Pre-School Son
I write about the the necessity of God in my life to be a good father. And I believe it, after all that's what keeps me writing about it over and over. However, there are times where I feel like an absolute fraud, wondering why anyone should even take my advice. There are times when … Continue reading Forgotten Matchbox Cars and losing My Sanity with My Parking Ticket
The number one rule at my son's pre-school is: "Do everything to the glory of God." I could get used to this one pretty easily, as I am a man of faith and put effort towards working this rule in my own life. He's been attending this school for about 18 months, but I'm just now starting … Continue reading Sharing Toys, Tattling and Supporting Kids to Traverse Their Own Battles
I love the questions my son comes up with. I also like asking him questions in response to questions. "Why is the chair squishy like that, dad?" "Well, why do you think?" is a standard response he receives from me. And it's not that I am trying to be difficult or as some would say … Continue reading In How Many Days Am I Going to Die?
"I'll give you a snack if you get in the car." "Come to the dinner table or there won't be a bed time snack." "Stop whining or you can get your pajamas on and get ready for bed." Anyone with little kids will tell you the power of bribes and threats. After all, there are … Continue reading Incentives, Threats and Bribes for Doing Things My Way
The scene was one of laughter and joy, reading the Berenstain Bears Go To School book. Sister goes to get on the bus, and my son imagines himself being in her place. "What if I just stood there and didn't get on the bus?" he asked. "The bus driver would say, 'come on,'" I said, waving my … Continue reading It’s In His Blood and There is Nothing We Can Do
