Some 20 odd years ago, I first read the play Fences by August Wilson. I was a high schooler – a senior, I think. One of four black students in a graduating class of about 100 at an all-boys prep school. There were many reasons why I was different. There were many reasons why I felt I didn’t belong. There were many reasons why I didn’t want to be there. Yet, there I was. I don't remember all of those days vividly, but certain ones stand out – one being the day I noticed a copy of that play sitting on a stack of textbooks for the school year. It had the ghost-like outline of James Earl … [Read more...]
‘Fighting With My Family’ Knocks it Out of the Ring; Cast Q&A
We recently attended an exclusive preview of the movie Fighting With My Family in New York City and meet with the cast and director afterward for a question-and-answer session. Fighting With My Family, a new film about a wrestling family featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, appeals to all sports fans who love inspirational stories. This one tugs at your heart strings and has you cheering throughout. My family scored it a nine out of 10 because it was engaging, humorous and left us tingling with delight as we exited the theater. For those of you with younger children, Fighting With My … [Read more...]
Friends and Family Plan: Bedroom Edition
The distance between them is a mix of years and meters, measures in degrees of space and sound and time. Two boys joined at the bloodline, bound by fate and floor plans, my sons have shared a bedroom from the beginning, their bunked barracks always a common ground. That changed last week. For the first time ever, the boys are each in their own room. They believe they have gained freedom and independence, which is true. But I cannot help fear a paradise lost in nightly confidants and the whispers between them. Also, a place for potential guests should any care to visit. This change in the … [Read more...]
Life After Being At-Home Dad Gets Squirrelly for This Guy
The show's over; time for everyone to go home. My last kid has started school. I am no longer an at-home dad. Now I suppose I’m just unemployed. That’s fantastic for the ego. I mean, really great. It’s always nice to see yourself taken down a peg or 50. Over the last month, I’ve gotten the question, “What are you going to do now with all your free time?” What free time, I’ve got lists a mile long! Time is accounted for, and it demands to be paid, credit not accepted. So what do I do now? Well, basically I sit in the house and wonder why Oprah has abandoned me. I mean, not to be a dick … [Read more...]
Anger Management for Parents: Prepare for Before, During and After
Think back to your childhood. Do you remember your father’s (or mother’s) angriest moment as a parent? Chances are it’s replaying in your mind right now in vivid detail. That’s because raw anger, while sometimes useful for action, often results in dramatic, destructive and regrettable parenting. As a father of teenagers, I’ve had my share of parenting moments, usually involving a disciplinary situation, when I could have used some intervention. But I’ve also learned a few things about anger management along the way. My first tip would be to think of parental anger as a three-stage process: … [Read more...]
Considering Context Helps Piece Together Better Relationships
EDITOR’S NOTE: Being a good parent at times takes superhero skills. To help you develop your own, “The Relational Book for Parenting” authors Saliha Bava and Mark Greene offer suggestions from their book. Go here to read more in this exclusive periodic series for City Dads Group. Want your partner or child to really feel seen and heard? Then learn to be aware of and consider context during your interactions. This is a relationship super power. From the Latin contextus, context means “weave together.” Context can come from an obvious big life event, such as an illness or a new baby, … [Read more...]
Why My Daughter Has Her Mother’s Last Name Instead of Mine
My daughter is Isabella Gutierrez Marcelino. My last name is Gutierrez – but that’s actually my daughter’s middle name. We gave her my wife’s last name – Marcelino. I’m not ashamed of my family's name. I’m proud to be a Gutierrez. The name is always a reminder of my dad, my hero, who still works day and night to ensure the people he loves are always taken care of. As Stef and I started family planning, I was at a crossroads. Why is it that we value one last name over the other? When I knew we were having a girl, I began to think about why my daughter should automatically just come … [Read more...]
Cleveland Dads Organizer Honored for Community Service Work
When someone is in trouble, do you head toward the action to lend a hand or do you turn and go the other way? If you are Darren W. Carter, lead organizer of our Cleveland Dads Group, you take action to help. Carter's work to serve his community, family and friends recently earned his second place in the "Run Toward Fires" service contest held by a local sales and marketing group. His wife, Theresa, nominated him for the award, citing not just his work with City Dads Group but also the work his does in his community for neighborhoods, schools and foster children. Darren has … [Read more...]
Exclusive Discount for Members to Attend Dad 2.0 Summit in Texas
Want to meet some cool dads and hot brands that get fatherhood? Then we have the ticket for you -- at an exclusive discount of 20 percent off! The Dad 2.0 Summit is offering an exclusive discount ticket deal so City Dads Group members can attend the Feb. 21-23, 2019, conference in San Antonio, Texas. Tickets for individual attendees are $199, down from $249. Tickets for businesses (agencies or brands wishing to pitch to attendees) will even be reduced from $599 to $479. ++ Take advantage of our exclusive discount for Dad 2.019 ++ Dad 2.0 Summit is an annual three-day conference where … [Read more...]
Virtual School: ‘Almost School’ or Online Lesson for the Future
Based on my parenting experience, I immediately associate the word "virtual" with meaning "almost." That there's been a diminished effort, something watered down or, very simply, done half-assed. And, to date, my inclination to disregard anything my kids say is virtual has been proven right. Virtually every time. Everett, my 5-year-old “picked up virtually all the LEGOs.” Then, after tucking him in, my bare foot steps entirely on one of those little, yellow character heads. Yosef, my oldest, said he “did virtually all of my math.” Never mind his weekly progress reports littered with … [Read more...]
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