My wife and I were given a wonderful dilemma a few months ago: Keep our daughter in the preschool we truly love or move on to an independent school with a history of excellence and innovation. I am a proud product of both New York City public and an independent school. My wife attended public school while growing up in a small Pennsylvania town and is just now learning the ins and outs of independent school. But while our experiences couldn't have been more different, we do have this in common: a commitment to education. This has led to many discussions of the pros and cons of both types of … [Read more...]
Potty Training Requires Practice (and a Drop Cloth)
Someone from the Denver Dads Group recently asked me a question about potty training his son. I thought I'd share some advice. Dear Potty Frus-Training, Here's something really important to remember: You're not "training him" to pee in the potty, you are help him practice skills. Our pediatrician shared that with us when we expressed our frustrations. Think about it, we are expecting a 3-year- old to do something an inebriated adult can barely do. So, we treated it like practice. Here's my set up: Go to Home Depot and buy a plastic lined paper drop cloth in the paint section. Lay it … [Read more...]
Starting the School Day Requires Calm Routine
Starting school last year was difficult for our family. It seemed like every morning for the first month my son Jake would break down when he got to the classroom, begging me not to leave. It broke my heart. His teachers finally approached me and explained he might do better if he had a consistent morning routine. At the time, we didn't have a routine. Getting him ready for school was chaotic. So I developed a plan where he would wake up and go potty then have breakfast, get dressed and watch TV for a bit while we waited to walk out the door. Surely it would work. It did for a while, but … [Read more...]
My Son Won’t Eat His Dinner: Here’s 39 Reasons Why
Maybe some of you have a picky eater in the house. My daughter will try most things, but my 4-year-old son has a new reason everyday for why he won't eat. To borrow a line from the movie A Christmas Story, “My son works in reasons why he won't eat the way other artists might work in oils or clay. He’s a true master.” Here are 39 reasons why my son won't eat dinner: 1. I don't want a baby spoon. 2. This spoon is too big. 3. Mommy makes it better. 4. Oranges are scary. 5. Pasta is scary. 6. I want a big boy cup. 7. I spilled my drink. 8. Water is scary. 9. Daddy makes it better. 10. … [Read more...]
This Parent Stopped Worrying About ‘That’ Long Ago
Are you a worrying parent? I was but I've been at this long enough to have accumulated quite a bit of dirt beneath my fingernails (which have been painted numerous times and in a variety of colors by my two daughters) and to have walked a metaphorical mile with LEGO bricks stuck to the bottom of my parental feet. Still, I'm not immune to the nagging twinge of parental insecurity, and I too doubt myself more than any parent who tries probably should. It’s damn hard to be alive and alert in the Pinterest age of perceived perfection filled with amazing school lunches and darling lunch … [Read more...]
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