EDITOR'S NOTE: Not many people realize how much work goes into running one of our City Dads Group chapters. This new feature series will spotlight some of our group organizers to help others learn about their experience. We start with Miami Dads Group co-organizer Ozzy Rosenberg. City Dads Group: How long have you been a member of the Miami Dads group? Ozzy Rosenberg: "I have been part of the Miami Dads Group for a little over two years now." What motivated you to join the leadership of the Miami Dads Group? "My kid and seeing the lack of dad representation here in South Florida. … [Read more...]
Remembering Dad Who Taught Life Lessons Even in Quietest Moments
Losing a parent is something you’re never adequately prepared for no matter how inevitable it might be. My dad’s passing in December was both shocking and not. He had Parkinson’s disease for almost 30 years. Such a disease keeps mortality ever present in your mind, and his life had been increasingly difficult in recent years, but the end seemed to come like an afternoon thunderstorm during the Florida summer. Somewhat expected, but still completely jarring. His passing left the earth beneath me unsteady. I often feel like I’m walking on the rocks beside a stream. Usually the walk is … [Read more...]
Punishment or Discipline: Parents Must Regularly Walk this Fine Line
I recently read Thank You Ma’am, a short story by one of my favorite writers, Langston Hughes, with my students and saw it with fresh eyes. If you are unfamiliar with the story, I highly recommend it. It is a short read. Read it. Or listen to it. For time’s sake, let me boil it down this way: Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones was walking on a dark street one night headed home. A young boy, Roger, attempts to rob her. However, the “large woman with a large purse” proved to be more of match for Roger than he expected. He falls trying to snatch the purse, and Mrs. Jones proceeds to put him in … [Read more...]
‘Girl Dad’ Confessions: Ex-Stay-at-Home Father Reflects Beyond Hashtags
Even a few weeks after the helicopter crash in Los Angeles that killed basketball great Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others, the shock remains. As a parent of two teenagers, what reverberates most is the multi-generational losses of three different families. Based on the supportive messages that continue to flit across social media, fellow parents agree. The most viral hashtags, however, have celebrated the father-daughter relationship: #GirlDad and #GirlsDad. They resulted from Elle Duncan’s tearful ESPN report in which she recounted Bryant’s pride as a “Girl Dad.” When I … [Read more...]
PTA Meeting Brings Father Amazon Nightmares, Pepperoni Dreams
I used to be against the death penalty until I sat through my first and only PTA meeting. That was where I was exposed to a nearly fatal dose of superstar parenting. Maybe the electric chair for these walking migraine triggers is a bit harsh. They should at least be quarantined, as a public health measure. This night of the jackals begins with a sharp elbow to my ribs. "Excuse me!" a jittery house frau screeches. She rushes by me in the library where the PTA meeting is being held and grabs a seat next to someone she knows. My daughter's teacher, Rinat, launches into her presentation … [Read more...]
Dad’s Group of Father Friends Negate Butterfly Effect
I killed a thousand butterflies. It's not my proudest moment. It happened right in front of my children, too. Not just my children, but 13 other children as well. Things could have gone better. This past summer in Iowa,dad;s butterflies migrated right through the center of the state. It happened to coincide with my annual "dad's trip." This is the trip my dad's group takes every year so we can build memories with our children. We pick a direction and go. We see the silliest of the silly. Large balls of twine or the world's largest set of overalls. And this time, we killed at least 17% of … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Dad Jokes, Puns Not for Faint of Heart
Valentine's Day dad jokes? Surely, we can't be serious? Of course we're not serious. They're jokes! And don't call us Shirley. In our ongoing attempt to corner the market on silly holiday-theme dad jokes (we've done Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving to date), our crack team of stupid cupids have scoured the internet for the best and worst Valentine's Day dad jokes, riddles and puns for the kids and families to enjoy. We then put them all in one funny place help you illicit groans and some hearty har-hars from the children and adults you love. Or is it loathe? Best/worst … [Read more...]
‘Because I Love You’ Has Painful Consequences for Parent
Few words accurately describe the feeling of love you, as a father, get from your little ones at certain moments. The ear-to-ear smile you see as you walk through the door. Their full-speed sprint that leads to a somersault resulting in a perfect 10 landing in your arms. The numerous “Jedi mind tricks” they use in hope of staying up a few extra minutes past bedtime. That said, fatherhood also comes with its various challenges. One of the biggest I have found is discipline. My wife and I strive to foster an environment where our two children have every opportunity to thrive and grow. … [Read more...]
‘Family Is’ Awards Nomination to City Dads for Best Website
The City Dads Group website has been nominated for a new award that recognizes excellence in and commitment to creating parenting content. The Richard and Linda Eyre Family Is Awards were established last year to recognize social media influencers whose online content best celebrates commitment, popularizes parenting, bolsters balance and validates values. The Family Is awards are scheduled to be presented in early February at the I Am Mom Summit, an online conference on parenting. City Dads Group's website was chosen as a finalist from among hundreds that were nominated and screened by … [Read more...]
End Any Argument with Your Teen with This 1 Trick
You know how it goes: Even the smallest disagreements with your teen can turn into yelling, doors slamming, feelings hurt and evenings ruined. But there’s a trick to preventing these regular altercations from escalating. Ask your teen if they actually enjoy what’s happening during the fight. Most of the time, they don’t feel good about it, so they’ll redirect their anger before it gets out of hand. Let me break down how this works to end any argument. End any argument with this question The ultimate phrase that will end any argument in its track is, “Do you like where this is … [Read more...]
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