It’s Mine!
What parent hasn’t heard those words? A red-faced child plants both feet firmly, sticks out the lower lip, and what can charitably be called a “hissy fit” erupts. Ownership is at stake! As children we are not natural givers. We…
Category Advice
Three Lessons on Money
A Broke Nation Americans are up to their eyeballs in debt. USA government debt tops $18 trillion (that’s with a “T”!). Student loan debt is almost $1.4 Trillion. Personal consumer debt hovers close to $3.5 Trillion. Car loans: $1 Trillion.…
Helping Your Children With “Firsts”
At the first of the year, my mind is often brought back to the many “firsts” I have been blessed to witness my children experience. There are those “firsts” with which most dads are familiar – the first steps, first…
Four Ways to Help Your Child Try New Things
“What’s that?!” “It’s good. You’ll like it.”“Yuck. No I won’t.” “How do you know you won’t like it if you haven’t tried it?” “It looks gross.” “Well, it’s not, and your mother worked really hard at making a nice dinner…
Competition VS Cooperation
“In what areas of life do you find yourself most competitive? At work? In athletic activities? In card or board games? Debating controversial topics? “ That’s what the men at this week’s Good Dads lunch talked about around the tables…
Becoming a Good Dad
Dr. Mike Dawson has been the Chief Learning Officer for Springfield Public Schools since 2015. He is also married to Dr. Wendy Dawson and the father of three great kids: Emma (17), Jack (13), and Christian (11). “Each,” he says,…
Three Theories for Raising Kids
Brian Fogle claims he had three theories about how to raise children before he had three. Now he has none! Even without theories, Brian is the proud and happy father of three young adults—two daughters and a son. Although they…
The Annual Christmas Crisis: Part 2
“Why can’t you just help out with the wrapping? I did everything else.” “I don’t know why you have such a bad attitude about helping with the Christmas tree. This could be fun, if you weren’t acting like a big…
It Happened “On Accident”
Betty Clendening was a force to be reckoned with and our son was experiencing the full extent of her indignation. The two of them stood in front of my desk – Mrs. Clendening with her hands on her hips, Andrew…
10 Tips for New Dads
Becoming a new father is one of the most wonderful life events a man can experience. But it can also feel overwhelming. Take heart. By gaining some practical knowledge, setting realistic expectations and creating healthy habits, you can be a…