The Prodigal Returns—to School
It was my first day to teach school and the other teachers had decided it was best if I figured it out myself. I’m not sure they got that right, but…
Back-to-School Advice from a Former Teacher
New shoes, new backpacks, new teachers—same attitude? Most kids are excited about returning to school, even if they don’t want to admit it.…
Politics and Parenting
I saw a video of a three-year-old holding his growling dinosaur. When he was asked the name of his toy he responded with, “Donal Twump.” Our kids are…
Talking to Kids About Tragedy
We all want to protect our children from the things they hear in the news. We want them to feel like tragedy couldn’t happen to them, because we, as…
Dear Dads: Spell FAME backwards
If you are a father, you can be famous. Just spell fame backwards: Every Man As Father. What if we measured the fame of men in terms of the kind of…
The Stress Test for Test Stress
The debate continues. Is standardized testing a good idea? Does a standardized test prove your child’s ability to succeed in the future or just…
A Dozen Hints for a Great Mother’s Day
The cards, the meal at the restaurant, and the extra hugs are nice. Moms deserve a special day that celebrates who they have been, who they are, and…
Why is He Wearing a Dress?
Kids have always asked hard, surprising, and embarrassing questions, often when we are standing in the middle of a crowded store or restaurant. The…
The Value of Imperfect Parents
My first year as a second grade teacher, I taught an adorable little boy. He was quiet, didn’t have a lot of friends and seemed very nervous about…