April, 2013

• 3 April

  An Oak Tree

  “How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child’s board. It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted.” Voltaire

  Read More »
• 2 April

  After-Easter Musings

  

  Well Easter is over, and I am left wondering. As I watch my son look for the now-empty (and re-hidden) Easter eggs, the thought crosses mind: how do I deal with faith in my son’s life? I was raised in the Catholic faith, but lost my faith years ago. Dealing with what is out there in life (the evil, greed …

  Read More »
• 1 April

  Tough day

  

  Work, bills and sometimes just the hard times that life brings can leave us frustrated. When we are like this, rest is something we really need. Of course, my son is like me: he doesn’t need 8 hours of sleep most nights. And, it can be challenging. So: wakeful nights, tiredness and the pressure.  And, what do you do with the …

  Read More »

March, 2013

• 30 March

  Breaking parenting rules

  

  Have you made parenting rules that you’ve also broken?   Heck, the list of rules I made has been a paper weight on my desk for about 1 3/4 years of my son’s 2 years of life. No tv rule No crappy food We have all had them. And, we resolve not to break parenting rules. In my (former) academic life, theory ruled. Everything looks …

  Read More »
• 29 March

  Negativity

  

  Do you ever catch yourself paying more attention to negative feedback, than positive? When you do receive positive feedback, do you find yourself looking past that and on to what you think needs improvement? There are ways for us as to combat this way of acting and thinking. According to neuroscientists, our brains are hardwired to focus more on the negative, including worry, disapproval, …

  Read More »
• 28 March

  Future

  “We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future.”  – President Franklin D. Roosevelt

  Read More »
• 28 March

  Trying to stay clean, word-wise

  

  This is always tough to keep in mind when your in the midst of an all-out rant: keep your words in the non-colorful vocabulary zone. Even our half-way swear words are no-goes sometimes, as it is really just the word, just in a different light: Frick, heck, ghal bless it, suck, and a nod to my sci-fi friends (fellow sci-fi nerd here), Frack’n. …

  Read More »
• 28 March

  Kitchen cabinets on the cheap, well cheaper then new

  

  The cost of new kitchen cabinets can range from $1,800- $4600 ( cost estimates from About.com Home Renovations “What is the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets?” ) Kitchen cabinet replacement is one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation project. But in many cases, you can create an entirely new look to the kitchen by giving those cabinets the love they …

  Read More »
• 28 March

  Find an outlet

  

  It is good to be around your child, but you also need some ‘me’ time. Be it: heading to your local watering hole to have a beer or 4 with your buddies (as one may not be enough for the week you have had), a hike in the mountains… anything that allows you to get away for a bit. As …

  Read More »
• 27 March

  Memories

  “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” Charles R. Swindoll  

  Read More »