The conversation started over breakfast, a thread to a tangent passed with pepper and more coffee, but it stuck like syrup in a mustache (it happens). Eventually it moved from a stranger-coveted empty table in an increasingly busy restaurant to another prolonged standstill in the parking lot, two family members dancing a tango of societal and political opinion while everyone else kicked leaves and waited for car doors to open. Then it continued in the front seat for another 20 minutes, me in the back with a 5-year-old on my right. His toy made a loud, electronic shriek, apparently forever, … [Read more...]
Santa Brings Dad Home for Christmas
If you have ever watched the CBS Evening News on a Friday night, chances are you've had to reach for a box of tissues. That's because, more times than not, correspondent Steve Hartman's "On the Road" segments, tend to go right for the tear ducts. The preschooler who randomly befriends a despondent older man. The kid with special needs who gets his chance to score in a game. The whole town that comes out to thank one of its longtime residents. The waterworks start flowing even when you know from the start what is going happen. Such as in those tried and true tearjerkers … [Read more...]
Making a Fool of Yourself a Gift Your Kids Won’t Forget
Every Christmas growing up, for as long as I can remember, our entire family would attend a The Nutcracker ballet together. We would get dressed up and, my dad's three brothers and their families also along, head into downtown Chicago to watch some Christmas magic. As I kid, I really didn't enjoy this. I had to wear dress pants and most likely some God-awful itchy sweater that my mom loved. However, what I did like was that we went as a big group to somewhere special. That was our time together. We haven't done this in forever. With us kids grown up and with families of our own, the … [Read more...]
Santa’s Tips to Help Moms, Dads Make the Nice List
Santa and I are tight. He once warned me to slow down because I was carrying precious cargo. He also gave me a few goofy tips (he was laughing so hard he almost spit out his candy cane) for parents to insure their inclusion on the Nice List. Here it goes: Say “Yes" Try doing something with your children that you normally wouldn’t do. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank or spend any money really, but what’s something outside of your comfort zone that the kids want to do that you can afford (emotionally) to try? Try it. Eat dessert first Go ahead. Break the rules and let the … [Read more...]
How to Survive Christmas Break with Your Children
If your situation is anything like mine, soon your kids will be home from school for Christmas break. That means days of being home all day with three children who are overly excited, trapped indoors because of freezing cold temperatures, constantly needing a snack, and -- even when they are having fun playing together -- they still sound like they are fighting. You might be wondering how I will survive this ordeal and, if you’re in this situation, how you will do the same. This year, I came up with a five-part plan to survive Christmas break. Feel free to use, modify, share or ignore. 1. … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »