How many times have you heard that name calling is a bad thing? It is true, the father who calls his daughter names that demean her gender, or make parts of her body to be focused upon instead of modestly de-emphasized will not benefit her development. Just as calling your son names that emasculate him […]
Category: Personal Examples
Myths, Heroes, and Stories
Some years ago I came home, two days before my oldest son was to go away to camp, to discover that he had a black eye and cuts on his face. My first emotion was concern, about what had caused these marks… but there was also a bit of: “who do I need to convince […]
Is That FAIR?
When I was a boy, my mother did everything she could to make sure that she treated my brother, and I… and eventually my sister “fairly.” If ever she bought one of us a school folder, she made sure she bought one for each of the other kids as well. Even to the point of […]
The Prodigal Child
What do you do when your teenager is wrong, and cannot seem to accept it? When they keep pushing back even though you try to correct them, or guide them, into the appropriate action? Or even further when your teenager, or adult child, will not hear your guidance as the voice of truth? I want […]
“Past Choices are Catching Up…”
Have you ever had “one of those mornings…?” Where things seem to be going along just “swimmingly” and then: “We’re leaving!” is the call from the mother downstairs. “I know!” “Are you coming?” “Why wouldn’t I be!” “It’s time to go!” “I know, I can’t find a shirt that fits,” the child says standing in […]
Happy New Year, Men!
Happy New Year!! I wish you a great and prosperous upcoming year, as you seek to be the Dad you were meant to be. Be encouraged that you are not alone in this parenting thing, and that there are tools at your disposal to accomplish the tasks before you. Don’t be afraid to ask for […]
Christmas Eve Traditions 2017
Traditions. Does your family have them? Did you grow up with any? One of the best parts of being dad, is you get to establish traditions for your kids. If there are some traditions that have been passed down to you (that you did as a kid) then talk to your wife about using them. […]
Good Morning!
So, here is a confession that leads to an encouragement. This morning I got up at 5:55, which is a few minutes before my 16-year-old son asked me to wake him (we have recently taken away their phones when they are supposed to be sleeping), and continued my morning routine which includes reading the Proverb […]
Your Kids Are Always Watching
Sometimes we gloss over the word always, but I have chosen that word intentionally. They are ALWAYS watching. Even when they say they don’t care, your children are watching you. Even before they have the ability to accomplish the speech, actions, or habits of your life, they are keeping an eye on you because you […]
Conversations at a Funeral
As you may know, from the last post, my mother-in-law (Nancy) was buried last week. The formality of family gathering, planning, attending a Wake, performing the ceremony, and laying her in the ground, was relatively new to my kids. My boys, who are older, slightly remember their great grandparents passing, but they were quite young. […]