Category: Children

Every morning when the kids get downstairs it’s the same ritual.  Our youngest sits to my left and his older brother sits directly across from him.  He’ll talk about how he had “a good sleep” and ask about what we’re doing tomorrow-at which point I’ll remind him that we have lots of fun stuff to do today. While all of this is happening, Abby, our 14 year-old flat coat retriever has already set up camp under our youngest’s chair.  He’s just the right height to massage her with his bare feet and if anyone at the table is going to drop something edible it’s going to be him.  It was also at this point that I realized that this is one of those moments, specifically those periods of time.

Continue reading Parenting, family, pets and the 100 shades of green

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is something I could have used as a kid. There was very little direction in my house and I just drifted from class to class in high school. If you pictured my life as The Breakfast Club, I was Brian. The difference was, while he got too much direction and pressure from his parents, I didn’t get enough. It doesn’t sound that bad – but it wreaks havoc with your confidence.

 

Continue reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens-updated for today’s teens