Author: Guest

Best Friends or Just Roommates?

All parents have dreams for their children. I am no different. We dream that our children will be successful and happy. Some of us have specific dreams for their career, their salary, who they will marry, or what part of town they’ll live in. Being the father of twins my number one dream, far and away, is that my kids will grow up to be best friends. I have had this dream since we found out we were having twins a Read More...

The Dishwasher Dad Grills: Zen and the Art of the Grill

It is a rare and special thing to know one’s true calling. Michelangelo was an artist, Einstein was lucky enough to stumble on physics, even Charlie Sheen seems to have settled into what nature intended for him. But most of mankind unluckily stumbles though life, fruitlessly searching. I, however, am also one of the chosen few. Alas, my natural place on earth is at the kitchen sink. If you go by Intelligen Read More...

For Reading Out Loud!

I know this is not exactly timely coming a day after the actual event, but I thought it worth mentioning that yesterday, March 9th 2011 was World Read Out Loud Day.  Read Out Day is a concept of LitWorld, and as described on their event home page is: about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to Read More...

Why You’re A Dad

You’ve had one of those days. One of those days that make you question your sanity. One of those days where you wish you could experience again what it was like before you had children. If only for a day or two. Or a couple hours. Where there were no cries and screams, no impossible demands, no blatant disregard for instructions. No tantrums. No bickering. You knew there were going to be days like this because pe Read More...

That’s So NOT Gay!

My father told me he was gay when I was fourteen years old and it changed my life forever. At the time I lived in San Diego with my mom, and my dad lived in San Francisco. I hadn’t known that I had known any gay people until that point in my life. No one had bothered to expose me to any positive information about gay people. No one shared gay history with me. I had not read any books about gay people nor had I ha Read More...

That’s a pretty big boo-boo…

The concept of pain is never easy to explain to a kid. My son understands the basic concept of the so-called “boo-boo”. We also try to teach him that by hitting or kicking or biting or throwing things he can cause others and most often his parents a great deal of boo-boo. He has also, unfortunately, made the connection between certain boo-boos and mommy and daddy pulling out some ice from the freezer so now he Read More...

Valentine’s Day

Without question, Valentine’s Day translates into a commercial bonanza for retailers. And yet, if one can filter out this unsavory profit motivated aspect, then the people that matter to us, our loved ones, move to center stage. For families, Valentine’s day embraces a day of recognition that no matter how challenging our daily lives become, unconditional love empowers us to endure. In short, love con Read More...

Old Haunts

It’s that time of year for me at work. It seems it’s always that time of year, but I suppose that is an altogether separate discussion. And, with that time of year, comes the requisite stress of too many things to do, and not enough time to do them. Throw in a few unreasonable deadlines, and it all adds up to longer hours, a high stress level for Daddy, and more than the normal amounts of work ma Read More...

5 Jaded Tips For Choosing The Perfect Valentines Day Gift

After a few years (or any really…), Valentines Day loses its sheen for us guys.  While I started out with the hopes of writing some amazing tips for finding her that perfect present, things did not quite go as planned… I am confident that you will find our suggestions useful (except for #4, I don’t know what I was thinking there), but not very romantic.  That being said, it is perfect for those Read More...

Daddy Is a Hero

I’m not a hero. A hero regularly does spectacular things that others cannot do. I’ve never done anything spectacular. I’ve never found a cure for a disease. I’ve never saved someone from danger. I’ve never invented an everyday necessity. I’ve never done anything that has elevated me to the status of hero. I do the same ordinary things that a million other people do every day of their lives. But Daddy, Read More...

Snow in the City

The advent of snow, especially to the uninitiated child, is a treat for parents. It is also a curse. Let me explain what I mean. This is the first year that our son can truly enjoy snow and snow related activities. It also happens to be the first time in 80 years that New York City has seen this much snowfall. The combination means that there has been snow pretty much every week since mid-December and it looks like Read More...

Trying to Figure it Out

I’ve been a dad for almost two years now, so I should know better. I should know better than to expect that an established routine will stay an established routine. I should know better than to get all bent out of shape when an established routine doesn’t go according to plan. I should know better than to think that I have any more than a modicum of control over any of it. I should know better than to try to fi Read More...

Nearing Extinction: Restaurants that understand that family dining means bringing the kids.

Sitting down at the dining room table as a family is hard enough with our fidgety son (as discussed at length following SeattleDad’s post last week), a restaurant is a whole other ball of yarn. Every parent goes through the phase in which restaurants are just off limits. This holds especially true when multiple toddlers are involved. Boys certainly seem to make the experience that much less agreeable, but I have Read More...

In the Name of Love

We celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. today as a tribute to his lifelong work to tear down the walls of intolerance. Progress has been made since his tragic death yet world peace remains an elusive goal. As parents, we have the opportunity to shape the future. We all live together on this tiny 3rd planet from the Sun. Let’s celebrate what binds us together. We are one race, the human race. Read More...

Family Style Dining.

I just returned from helping to get my 3 year old son Lukas ready for sleep.  My wife, Mrs. LIAYF, is now reading finishing up reading stories with him in bed.  It is all a part of the evening routine around here, which includes cleaning up, brushing teeth, and going to the bathroom.  I’m sure you all know the drill quite well.  I bet we could all do it in our sleep.  And probably have on occasion.  Ho Read More...

Son’s and tempers

– Pic isn’t my child but it gets the idea across I’ve brought up two daughters to the ages of 4 and 7. Its been difficult and we’ve had our difficulties and fights. I’ve made them mad and I’ve frustrated them but in the end I’m their daddy and they love me and can not stay mad for long. I also have  son. He is 15 months and there is some very real very strange difference. Read More...

New Year. Same Old Parents.

The New Year has started much like the old. My son still wakes up early – way too early. He still wants – nay, needs – his milk. It must be the perfect temperature in that green sippy cup or he sends it back. I am the lucky one who prepares this gourmet morning aperitif. It must be Daddy and no one else. My wife, of course, doesn’t argue this point. The cars must be lined up with Lightning McQueen first Read More...

Starting Over

Another holiday season has come and gone yet the spirit of family remains. In addition to the benefit of being able to decompress from the daily grind, the chance to focus on connections, the ties that bind, remind us of our humanity. For so many parents, the work life balance can prove to be unbearable. Especially in times of financial strife as so many families have encountered over the past year. Still, the Read More...

The Early Morning Chair

My alarm goes off at 4:52. Two days ago it went off at 5:04. Four days ago I slept in: 5:21. My alarm goes off at random times because I do not set my own alarm. A buzzing or beeping clock does not wake me. A gentle melody from my favorite CD or radio station does not introduce me to the new day. I have a more unique alarm. The cries from my son down the hall. “Do you want me to get up with him?” my partner say Read More...

Cat’s in The City

Readers, I sense an uneasiness in the air. A feeling that many of you may be concerned for the state of Dad Blogging.  After all 2010, proclaimed far and wide as The Year of the Dad Blogger, is quickly drawing to a close.  In fact, at the time this post is published, there will only be one short day remaining before all Dad Bloggers from Seattle to Shanghai unceremoniously turn back into pumpkins only to be d Read More...