The pandemic first impacted most of us when many restaurants and bars closed to indoor dining one year ago. Where I live, that shutdown occurred the day after my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at a local restaurant. We remember eating that night and thinking, “There’s no way they’ll shut down this restaurant.”We all know what happened next: a full year of pandemic family life. When I reflect on the past year, I start with gratitude. My wife and I have remained healthy and employed, and my two daughters have been able to continue school virtually with few problems. But … [Read more...]
Just Doing Their Job: It’s What True Heroes Do Every Day
I watch my nearly 16-year-old twin sons and their three- or four-hundred fellow students pour out the doors of the high school they attend. My mind goes back to my own high school days a very long time ago. A lot is different. No backpacks back then or phones or cool sweatshirts or yoga pants or these damn masks, but much seems familiar. The laughing and flirting and cajoling and teasing; nice cars and beaters; happy kids, sullen kids. Couples holding hands, couples longing to hold hands. Kids with big instrument cases and large art portfolios and dangling lunch boxes and the … [Read more...]
COVID Sleep Issues Not Always Bad Says This Newborn Early Bird
When COVID-19 hit in March, I had to assume caring for Mr. Pre-School and teaching Ms. First Grade. About two days in I thought to myself, “OK, I think I got the hang of this. Put in a solid day’s work. Maybe start dinner soon. But lemme just rest my weary bones, after all it’s … 1:24 p.m.!?!?!!" I realized at that moment that I faced the very real possibility that if the virus didn’t kill me, being the sole parental/educational figure in each of their lives would. To get through the day I had to find the fuel, and my personal options are limited. Coffee is a mirage for me – too many … [Read more...]
Pandemic Parenting ‘How To’ Videos to Help Your Family Get By
With school on winter recess and families hunkered down for what may be the toughest season yet in the world's COVID-19 crisis, this is a good time to brush up on your pandemic parentings skills. What are those? Motivating your children to exercise rather than plop down with the electronics. Keeping the little ones busy so you can do your work. Making online learning work for you and your kids. Our longtime partner Dove Men+Care has been overseeing a "Dads Care" campaign series of dad-written and -produced "how to" videos in 2020, many of which cover topics specific to parenting … [Read more...]
Will Santa Get COVID? An Exercise in Parental Fact Versus Fiction
So much of my parenting style centers on a delicate balance of fact versus fiction when explaining concepts, ideas, thoughts, feelings – just about anything – to my children. Example 1: “Dad, why is Mommy sad?” Fact: Daddy was a big jerk to Mommy after she had a tough day at the office. Fiction: “Mommy’s not sad, sweetie, just tired today.” Example 2: “Dad, why is my teacher so mean?” Fact: Ms. Smith is a lonely, unhappy soul whose only friends are her 12 cats. Fiction: “Ms. Smith isn’t mean. Like her or not, she’s the boss in class so you must figure out how to work with … [Read more...]
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