When I take my children to the park, I can't resist the urge to discipline other kids
Disciplining other people’s children can be a dicey business
This essay originally appeared in The Globe and Mail on January 26, 2016.
Disciplining other people’s children can be a dicey business. I sometimes face this issue at our neighbourhood park, where I often take my kids after school.
I am a former teacher, so the playground is very familiar to me: It’s where a . . .
Posted in: playgroundracismdisciplinebullying
Fuzzy Bunny and the Case of the Missing Seaweed
A story by youngest, as told to Dad
Plot developed by youngest, age 4 at the time.
"S, are you sure you don't want to play outside?" asked Dad.
"I'm going to stay inside with Fuzzy Bunny," said S.
"Okay, I'll be outside with J," said Dad. "I'll check in with you every five minutes."
. . .Posted in: seaweedkid storiesfuzzy bunny
The older I get, the more I become like my dad
It was the height of hubris to think I could outwit my father
“When are you going to stop sneaking out in the middle of the night?” my dad asked, poker-faced.
The gig was up.
When I was a teenager, in order to join my friends for some late-night debauchery, I had to circumvent our home security system. I couldn’t risk waking my parents by disarming the alarm and leaving through the . . .
Posted in: disciplinesneaking outteenagers
Campfire nostalgic
A poem
Campfire nostalgic
We watched the shooting stars
and heard the loons call;
you poked at the fire
and we heard it roar.
Marshmallows, melted
chocolate on biscuits;
memories seared
into your mind, to
comfort you into old age.
Sitting by the campfire
staring at red hot coals,
. . .
A motorist's racist comment frustrated me
Some bigots minimize their prejudiced behaviour with veiled remarks
Photo: Freeimages.com – Pat Herman
We sauntered along the sidewalk, mature trees overhanging narrow street, morning air already muggy. Aunty stopped briefly to chat with a friend. Built close to the road, their old Victorian homes foster interaction between neighbours.
“I'll meet you at the coffee shop,” she . . .
Story time with my kids is the best place to be
Bedtime rituals keep me connected with my children
When my eldest son turned seven we celebrated his birthday. I found myself daydreaming. I thought of the day he was born, returning from the hospital on a hot, sticky August night. My wife and I lay in bed and stared in joyous wonder at this newfound life we created. So small, so beautiful – so dependent.
She breastfed him, . . .
Posted in: daydreamingbedtimerituals
Explaining the value of school to a kindergartner proved harder than I thought
I felt conflicted forcing my child to attend school
“Daddy! I doan wanna go to school!” my youngest, age 5 at the time, desperately pleaded. “I wanna stay home wit' you!” he sobbed, eyes reddened by salty tears.
“You have to son, it's your job.”
“Why, Dad?”
“To learn things. To make friends,” I responded nonchalantly.
“But I have friends . . .
Posted in: stay-at-home dadschool
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