I’m standing over my son’s bed, and I start crying. I think: he’s alive. It’s a weird emotion for me. My wife and son were in a car accident today coming home from school. Everyone was OK. The car wasn’t. People lived, items didn’t. It worked out how it was supposed to. But my seven-year-old is scared. He’s waking up as soon as he falls asleep. He’s crying because he’s scared. “I want momma,” his voice cracks. “Momma’s got to sleep too,” I answer. “She was also in the car accident and she’s hurt too. You both need to rest.” My wife is as hurt as my son: shaken, scared, but alive. … [Read more...]
5 ‘Shocking’ No-Brainers About Fatherhood
Everyone writes these great stories about the things about fatherhood that surprised them. Wonderful, pie-in-the-sky stuff, like how first-time-father-dudes never truly knew how to love until they saw their child’s eyes. Or the surprise of having to learn how to do girl’s hair as the father of a daughter. That’s all totally valid. But there are a lot of things that are very not-shocking about fatherhood. Things that, when they happen, you saw them from so far away that you actually forgot about them until they were right there, running you over. No-brainers about fatherhood, such as … [Read more...]
7 Phrases to Make You CEO of Your Family
Now that a bunch of ex-businessmen are at-home dads, raising families while their wives concuss themselves against the glass ceiling, the living room is the new boardroom. Nothing says “I’m bringing us out of the emotional recession of raising babies” like using business jargon in the home. Here are some phrase you at-home dads can us with your kids if you intend to run your home the way you ran your Fortune 500 company (And yes, we’re all aware you were at a Fortune 500 company back in like, 1988, Chad). CEO speak: “I need you to give 110 percent on this.” WHEN TO USE IT: When your child … [Read more...]
School Pick-up Line Parents: Read this Now, You Jerks
I know classes just started. I know it’s an exciting time for you and for your small child. But please, please, pretty fucking please, stay in your line. I know it’s tough … I’m sympathetic to your pain. I’m in the school pick-up line, too. Thing is, we’re all in line. So get your ass where it needs to be and inch forward like everyone else. Thumbs up emoji. Here’s a suggestion: Tonight, talk to your family about which line you’re in and how you get into it. We were all supplied a diagram of the two lines: the drop-off and the pick-up lines. People love diagrams. Draw a new diagram for … [Read more...]
National Geographic Teaches Kids to Take Photos Like a Pro
People are sharing photos more than ever. With cameras on our cellphones, and a multitude of sites where we can share our images, people of all ages are looking to create compelling photos that tell their story. And since children are learning to shoot photos as well, they need a kid-friendly resource that will get them thinking like a photographer without intimidating them. National Geographic created an engaging book for kids with that in mind. National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography brings kids pro tips from National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths in a visual style that is … [Read more...]