Tag: CuteMonster

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...

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...

Parenting Styles

As a father, I’m always on the look out for new useful parenting information. Raising children creates a constant need for guidance as problems arise. Seeking professional advice to navigate these unchartered waters makes sense. I recently came across a thought provoking article by Dr. Michele Borba titled “7 Deadly Parenting Styles of Modern Day Child Rearing.” It’s derived from her boo Read More...

Who’s afraid of a Squishy Diaper?

I took my 2 year old daughter to play school a few weeks ago. In many ways it was a blast from the past as I had taken my now “big boy” 4 year old son to the very same location when he was two. The owner/operators were still the familiar friendly duo of ladies singing tunes, creating crafts, doling out snacks, and finishing up with story time. Even the parents in attendance gave me a striking feeling Read More...

Labor of Love

Originally published on CuteMonster.com Over this past weekend, my wife and I threw a party for my two children to celebrate their birthdays. A small army of kids were invited with a seemingly even larger contingent of parents in tow. My wife was wise enough to rent a facility with an open space for the kids to run and play including a giant inflated play castle which allowed our tiny guests to jump inside with r Read More...

Lying To Your Children

Originally published on CuteMonster.com My entire life I’ve been told to tell the truth. The noble premise imparting “the truth shall set you free” forever ingrained in my mind. The memorable tale of George Washington admitting his complete guilt in the cherry tree massacre resulting in his personal transformational epiphany that truth holds more power than any lie. All wonderful deeply profound Read More...

Respect Must Be Earned

My wife had unexpectedly returned from her commute to work last week one morning. An overturned tractor trailer had made the road impassable prompting her to work from home rather than sit in unbearable traffic for several hours. Understandably, her stress laden experience had caused her to be irritable which was quite obvious from the tone of her voice. I listened to her vent, helped her get settled, and she be Read More...

Tricycle to Bicycle

Originally published on CuteMonster.com As he raced down the sidewalk furiously pedaling away on his two wheeled steed, the adjacent grass rippled in his wake. He beamed with confidence evident by a smile that seemed to light up the path outstretched before him. Intoxicated by speed, the boy seemed determined to take flight. Little did he realize he’d get his wish. As he leaned into a sharp curve, the mo Read More...

Comic Book Literacy

Originally published on CuteMonster.com My Spidey Sense had been tingling all night. Suddenly I leapt backward completing a humanly impossible acrobatic feat while landing hard against the wall. The floor where I last stood had been crushed to rubble. Slightly stunned from the impact, my eyes burned from the dust filled smoke as I attempted to get a glance at my attacker. “Focus Spidey.” I could bar Read More...

I am Dad

My family and I decided to go to the playground this hot summer morning. It was a relatively quiet start to the day, all of us somewhat sluggish from yesterday’s marathon July 4th celebration activities. After quickly devouring breakfast in anticipation of their adventures at the playground, my children waited for my wife and I at the door like two coiled springs waiting to be sprung. I took my wife’ Read More...

Romance in the Age of Parenthood

I still vividly remember the day I first set eyes on my wife. I was a chronically late high school senior which meant I routinely spent time in late detention. Little did I realize my penchant for disregarding time would provide a pivotal moment of serendipity. My wife, then a member of the high school band attending practice, had exited the school at nearly the precise moment late detention had let out. Her blo Read More...

The Revolution Begins from Within

For me, the word revolution has always conjured up images of violent epic battles fought for a noble cause.  Revolutionaries would sacrifice nearly everything to ensure a better future for themselves and generations to follow. As for fatherhood, the revolution really begins from within.  The battle waged is fought in the mind between one's independent self and the father to be.  Stress laden thou Read More...