The following was originally published in “The Good Life Men’s Magazine” When my wife and I moved into our home nine years ago, I didn’t pay much attention to the tree out our front window. It was a modest tree at the time, relatively well-kept but more or less forgettable. To this day I haven’t even bothered to find out what type of tree it is. The fact that our neighborhood was well-established and had full-grown trees lining the streets…
I recently posted a guest blog written by one of my oldest, most modestly dressed friends, Reid. It’s a not-so-subtle take down of other parents. We dreamt up the idea one Sunday afternoon while playing with our 2-year-old sons at the local indoor playground. As we silently judged the menagerie of parenting styles running amok all around us, we independently came to the same conclusion: we are the best parents the universe has ever known, each with an equally perfect…
Today I bring you a guest post from one of my oldest friends and fellow toddler father, Reid. I present this post to you unedited (mostly) and unfiltered (remember that). While I may have taken a more nuanced, more eloquent, all around more sophisticated tone, I completely relate to his take on modern day parenting, dystopian as it may be. So, disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed below are those of the author’s and do not necessarily (but mostly) reflect those held by yours…
The following was originally published in the Fargo Forum. I always look forward to writing these columns. They’ve been free license for me to praise my son, revel in the everyday joys of parenting or just share a fun story. But today I woke up to the news of 50-plus lives lost and hundreds more wounded and fighting to stay alive. Not overseas on some battlefield, but here at home. Again. Nothing is fun today. Today, I’m overcome with sadness….
I forget where I had to go. I forget why I had to be there so early. As a full-time freelancer, part-time employee, former stay-at-home dad (at what point do I just label myself a career dropout?), I rarely have meetings or appointments scheduled before my morning daycare dropoff date with my son. You’d think it would stick out in my mind, but I haven’t the foggiest recollection of what took me out of the house so early that day….
You want a deliberate, suitably slow lesson in patience? Take my two-year-old for a walk. Please. I was under the false impression that after my son, Macklin, started daycare, the organized setting full of established routines and lesson plans would maybe have somewhat of an impact on his ability to focus. Our last few trips to the neighborhood park, however, have proven just how far removed from reality my expectations were. While his self-confidence has never been higher—he displays nothing…
The following is another brilliant guest post from Mrs. Full-Time Dad (a.k.a. “Mama”)… published on day one of Macklin’s first day (back) at daycare. I first want to say, I am absolutely excited for you to get to spend the day with my son. I know I’m biased and every parent loves their child, but I truly think he is the funniest, cutest, most clever little person you will get to spend your day with. Macklin is brave and independent….
If I had to sum up in one word what it feels like to be a parent—the day-to-day reality of parenthood—I’d say conflicted. You want your kid to sleep in, but you can’t wait for the day’s first hug. You want to feed him a healthy breakfast, but when he asks for “bown suga, yeah!” on his oatmeal, you can’t resist. You want to be by his side at all times… unless he’s rage crying because you made him put…
I had just settled into one of the few remaining not-sticky seats at the mall’s play place when the curtain pulled back on act one of a familiar drama. My son, Macklin, was headed straight for the S.S. West Acres boat, occupied by a gaggle of slightly older, slightly bossy girls. They saw him coming, telepathically agreed on a plan and executed it ruthlessly. Boys, Mack immediately learned, were not welcome aboard this ship. I sat back and watched, as…
I’m thrilled to welcome another guest blogger to the Mr. Full-Time Dad roster. Friend, fellow father and admitted accountant, Kevin Teigen shares the story of what it’s like living with a creative thee-year-old who’s about to become a big brother and has strong opinions about baby names. Kevin and his wife, Danielle, are welcoming their second child sometime in April. My son, Dominic, is about three and a half years old. This is kind of a golden age. For starters,…