Today is the beginning of day four since schools have closed in Minnesota since the COVID-19 pandemic has reached middle America. There has been a shift in thinking, in work, in our communities and world as this virus has spread. A week ago, about 10 co-workers and I got together at a local restaurant to … Continue reading How Are You Taking the Test Given by the COVID-19 Pandemic
We live in an extreme climate where winter tries to kill you. We've experienced the polar vortex and now 32+ inches of snow in one month. So I made a comment to my six-year-old son while on yet another snow day at home from school that he should get to work and shovel snow for … Continue reading Economics Lessons from My Six Year Old
As a father who likes to fix what's broken or to help my kids feel better, I'm pretty quick to be uncomfortable when my kids aren't feeling okay. Maybe they are frustrated, maybe they are melting down, or maybe they are mad at a friend, I'm always quick to say that it will be okay … Continue reading It’s Okay, Don’t Feel Bad. It’s Also Okay to Not Feel Okay.
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 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
Another sick day at home with the boy yesterday. He was getting better but still too sick to attend kindergarten. So yesterday was declared a binge-watch-four-movies day. For him. I worked from home. What sticks out the most for me is his comment about his classmates. Twice, he asked me if I knew what his … Continue reading Good Morning Wherever You Are
My kids aren't home schooled as you may think of the traditional parent-become-teacher home school program. But according to Seth Godin, we are all home schooled. Think about it. There are 186 hours in a seven day week. My kindergarten son sleeps an average of nine hours a night, so eliminate those off the bat. … Continue reading All Kids Are Home Schooled
One of my favorite parenting books is Your Baby Your Child by Penelope Leach. She does an amazing job presenting a psychological approach to parenting, really digging into the why she suggest things should be done a certain way. My son is strong willed (and a friend questioned me the other day...."I wonder where he got … Continue reading The Foundation for An Easy Child
It was picture day. My son even asked for, "hair stuff." His mom picked out his best school shirt, pants and he even seemed excited. We were walking down the hall on the way to the morning club before school when he asked for a belt. Or maybe it was more of a whine. His … Continue reading Are You Enjoying Being A Dad?
At drop off this morning, my son and I debated about bringing a wooden souvenir knife to school. I said it was against the rules, and he said he'd keep in in his backpack where no one would see it. The debate ended in sadness and a couple of tears as he placed the knife … Continue reading Boys, Knives, Rules & School
Father Through Me 