Dealing with the stigma surrounding lice
The critters are unsightly, but not a health hazard
Our family dealt with head lice for the first time, back in March. Lice are unsightly but don't carry disease. Other than a bit of scratching, they're harmless and don't pose a health hazard. But there is a stigma attached to them.
When we found the critters in our sons' hair, I admittedly was digusted.
I did a lot of . . .
I was exhausted after volunteering in my son's class
It's challenging to get a bunch of kids on the same page
"Dad, can you come in for our scientists workshop?" second-born asked.
"You want me there?" I queried.
"Yeah," he answered, with that smile of his, eyes scrunched.
"You know I can't come in all the time," I said, "now that I'm working."
"I know."
"But I can still come in once or twice, maybe."
He smiled.
. . .Posted in: schoolsciencesimple machines
How I'm coping with my sons' sibling rivalry
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Newton's third law:
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
I use this as a reminder in coping with my sons' sibling rivalry. Usually, it starts over something silly (at least it seems that way to me). Whether it's a water bottle, soccer ball, video game, it doesn't matter. The argument is basically the same. . . .
Posted in: brothersemotionsempathysibling rivalry
Shutdown & Drummer Boy
Two poems
Shutdown
Shutdown
don't talk—
ignore the old man,
he's angry.
I deserve it,
just don't yell
at me anymore,
Dad
I cry cuz it
hurts my feelings
I annoy my brother
cuz it's so fun
I'm just a kid
brain not fully formed
don't expect me
to be an adult—
I'm just a kid,
just a kid
don't kid yourself;
think I'm doin'
pretty . . .
Posted in: poetry
After ten years, I finally reconnected with my long-lost friend
Life is not a good excuse for falling out of touch
I hadn’t seen my good friend in ten years. He moved over 4,000 kilometres away and we lost touch. Life kind of got in the way. So in July, 2016, we flew out to visit and reconnect.
We were greeted warmly at the airport. A pleasant surprise. If I knew they were waiting on us, I wouldn’t have dawdled with the kids . . .
Posted in: friendship
The most precious gift I can give is my time
My sons and I enjoy a professional development day together
P.D. Day!
Hear the swish-swish of their snow pants as we walk home from drugstore. Sun, so bright, reflecting off snow. Younger likes to hold my hand still, sometimes. Older walks ahead, blazing a trail on slushy sidewalk. We laugh, waddle, joke. Feel like a new dad, all over again.
Silver jet streaks above, double contrails . . .
Posted in: daydreamingemotionspd day
I made myself redundant as a stay-at-home dad
My family needs me in different ways—and that's OK
This article first appeared in The Good Men Project on February 10, 2017.
For over six years, I was very comfortable in my role as stay-at-home dad. But I knew it was time for a change.
My kids are in school full time. They don’t need me in the same ways. They don’t need me to hover. A healthy sign of their . . .
Posted in: stay-at-home dad
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