By acting like a grown-up, he was showing his son that might wasn’t always right, even if the bullies sometimes walk away with the prize. … More Everyone talks about ‘Phillies Karen’ — but Dad and Son ‘just doing the right thing’ is the true lesson
Regrets … I’ve had a few … The older I get, the fewer regrets I hang on to, not that there were many to start with. I’ve had a great run for many years, and I’m not done yet. Many ups, many downs. Now I find myself sandwiched between childhood, parenthood, and spouse-hood. While my … More Regret: My Mother can’t realize how rebellious Daughter has inherited her ‘wild streak’
“I just want to stop by for a minute and pet the cats, and pick up something.” It was the first Monday following Daughter’s move, setting up house in a beachside condo with her boyfriend. She was coming off a 10.5 hour shift at the sandwich shop, but she was in a bright mood. The … More Our Empty Nest arrived early — but we’re rolling with some of the same requests from Daughter
One day I blinked, and she was 16, buying her own car and paying her own insurance. I momentarily rubbed my eyes, and when my fingers dropped, she’ had turned 18 and signed a lease for her own place (with boyfriend). Getting such a late start on fatherhood, as I did, I guess I must … More What? Younger Daughter has turned 18! Dad’s still Old (even Older). Where does the time go?
“Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more … More The ultimate complication of being an Older Dad: Likely you’ll miss the 2nd (or 3rd) act of the show
There is another type of Older Dad, Younger Child in our midst: Fathers who are raising their children’s children. Many causes create the situation: imprisonment, inability to provide care, and in the saddest cases, due to the death of a child. First, I have seen that losing a child is one of the most devastating … More There are older parents who bear a painful burden, but step up to stand in the light
Being 13 years old is a full-time struggle. It’s tough to find friends — 3 schools in 3 years, and a 1,000-mile move. She’s met a few friends since moving to Florida; the 6th-grade friends from a different school have faded. Two friends she made this past year are still in the picture, but it’s … More Nobody wants visitors from Florida: Covid-19 means roadblocks at the border
When I was 13, getting braces was a drudgery no child would willingly anticipate or take on. They were ugly, they made you look different — “Hey metal mouth,” and “Is that railroad tracks in your mouth?” We’ve known for several years that Daughter would eventually need braces. Her teeth took on a life of … More When did this change? She couldn’t wait to get braces — but the price changed, too
If you have Facebook, it’s likely you get those flashback pictures — “10 years ago” and so on and so forth. It’s supposed to be a feelgood kind of thing. It digs deeper into your gut when a child is involved. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve received several of those Facebook flashback moments. … More Facebook flashback photos take us back in time — but didn’t predict the future
It’s Kindergarten Graduation Time. Again. It’s been six years since Young Daughter made this same step up to 1st grade. It’s the kind of June morning where the mugginess plasters your shirt to your back, between the shoulders. Parents wave paper programs, coaxing a hint of a breeze. The children are restless. The teachers are … More New memories of Kindergarten, inside looking out: Small students, big hearts
olderdadyoungerchild 