Slings and Arrows on the Playground (Or, How to Watch Your Kid Grow Up)

by Stefan Kleinschuster

Stefan K and kidI’ll tell you what’s difficult: not having a reaction when your kid (or other’s kids) fall down. On the one hand they say that falling down is part of life and, on the other, is the wild reaction when my or their kid takes a digger.

If it’s part of life, then why are we so crazy about reacting?

I know myself – the feeling of that tangy shock when a kid – any kid – especially your own kid, falls on their knees in the street, raking that tender, perfect skin on the asphalt. It’s all you can do to keep your hands from flying to your head and having some primordial sound come out of your mouth. It’s nearly unbearable.

Barefoot or shod, that is the question. Barefoot eliminates the extra possibility of a trip and fall. But those delicate little toes! Jabs, slivers, metal… either way something’s going to happen. […]

Helicopter Parent, Me (And the Price We Pay for Technology)

by Nicholas D'Ambra

I am a self-proclaimed helicopter parent.  I originally thought the term meant one who rises above everything while looking out for everyone.  Turns out, it references a parent who hovers.

I’ve been told this by all the “professional” parents around me and some school care-givers as well. They don’t actually say “helicopter parent” to my face, but, rather they whisper or infer it.  It’s okay.  We waited until our forties to have a family.

If I seem cautious with my children, it’s because life has taught me a lot and I’m trying to protect them from excessive E.R. visits. But, I want them to learn from my mistakes. Rarely a good thing to be sure.  I wrestle with this everyday.  My Mom and Dad wanted a better life for me and my sister; I want better for my children.  But I wonder,  are we making life too easy for our children?

I see other parents do it and sometimes I cringe.  Recently, at dinner with another family, I witnessed a full nuclear meltdown when the child hadn’t received a particular color of crayon. My wide eyes and gaping mouth did little to hide my shock at how the parent handled this. Instead of taking their child aside and discussing the unacceptable behavior, the parent walked up to the host station and requested a red crayon for her “poor” child who neglectfully did not receive all of the appropriate shades in their crayon box.  Crisis averted…or delayed?

I may have also unwittingly made similar mistakes.  (But my son is really cute!)  I’m not kidding; even his pediatrician asked me if it was difficult to say no.  It is.  But I do. And I stick to it…mostly.  (But, seriously… he’s reallllly cute!)

The […]

Vacations Aren’t for the Weak at Heart

by Marc Parsont

The fact that I don’t have Type 2 Diabetes comes as a shock to every medical practitioner I see.  I’m just coming down from the sugar high I had last night at Rehobeth Beach, Delaware.

They had a bonfire at the beach where they provided marshmallows for children to roast or as it appeared to me, flame them down to a charred, black tar suitable only for sliming back into the primordial ooze. […]

I Hate Amusement Parks and I Hate Water Rides

by Marc Parsont

Amusement ParksI hate amusement parks and I hate water rides, both interesting admissions since I worked for Euro Disney, now Disneyland Paris and for the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions.   As Mr. Mom, though, I have to smile and pretend that I enjoy both of these irritations.

My experiences during our late summer family vacation might resonate with those curmudgeons like me, who prefer the comfort of staycations as opposed to commercial venues.  Trip preparation in our house starts with demonic cleaning of the house and me doing mounds of laundry.  Can’t come home to a dirty house now, can we? […]

I Do Not Own My Own Life Anymore (Commentary by Mr. Mom)

by Marc Parsont

driving dad crazyI do not own my life anymore.  I drive to soccer.  I drive to karate. I drive to school.  I drive to the doctor’s office—frequently.  I drive to fix the cars that drive the kids to soccer, karate, ballet and yoga.

I drive to the grocery store.  I drive to the grocery store.  I drive to the grocery store again.

I am being driven insane. […]

Questions

by Austin Wimberly

Sobornost930_smallAs a parent, I am used to my children asking questions.  Thankfully, most of the ones they ask are easily answered.  What’s for dessert?  Usually ice cream.  Can I stay up just a little longer?  Usually no.  What is the capital of Wyoming?   Always Cheyenne.

But there are some questions that my children ask that require more thought.  Why is a negative times a negative a positive?  How do I know I’m really me?  Why are flowers pretty?  And then there are questions that have no answer.  It is this last kind of question that has been with my family for a decade. […]

Should We Take The Only Thing They Have Left?

by John Simmons

namesPerhaps we should. My wife and I decided that it was the right thing to change our children’s names as we adopted them. This happened across the board, from Jack, who was only a month old when he joined our family, clear up to Emily who was fifteen.

That really upsets some people. My kids? Not so much. Recently a mom-blogger voiced her disagreement and so I decided to find out what my adopted children really thought. We had never talked about it before. […]

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