I’ve always been a rather health-conscious parent, but as my kids get older I’m starting to realize how much emotional health matters, too. These concepts are so intricately-woven. As important as it is to provide their bodies with nutritious food, they also need to be supported with time and patience from their parents. Kids are more willing to try new things when they come from a foundation of security and safety.
I’ve always had this vision in my mind of Joshua Tree as a warm place, both in temperature and in spirit. A place filled with tie dye and wildflowers, late night bonfires and wide-smiling travelers whose well-worn shoes skip from rock-to-rock beneath waving arms and billowing braids.
That picture in my mind was spot-on.
I consider myself to be the pioneer of my children’s minds. Their mom plays a role, obviously, but as their dad I’m tasked with a few extra-fun things like introducing them to ice fishing and teaching them how to wield a drill and explaining how to keep their elbows in and head down when throwing that good ol’ fashioned night night blow. “Jump like a grasshopper and bite like a beaver,” I always say.
Every Mother’s Day, I get myself something to help increase productivity in our home. An over-the-top vacuum, a speedy hair dryer, an Instant Pot. I have friends who view this as a sacrifice but for me, this is like buying leisure time! If I can use technology to do more of the menial day-to-day tasks, I’m freeing myself up for a manicure or a massage or time spent eating delicious bon bons on my couch. It’s my time, you guys, I do what I want!
The holidays are upon us and that means relatives. It means movies cuddled up by the fire. Unfortunately, it also still means work. The world … Read more
A couple of my friends have recently mentioned self-gifting, sharing that they reward themselves for hard work by checking a thing or two off their own … Read more
The oldest kiddo and I went to the San Diego Zoo last week and had so much fun! I’ll admit that we’ve struggled a bit with getting him involved and engaged in the zoo before. He likes the animals and all, but kids are fickle. They want action and excitement! Outside of feeding time, animals tend to just kind of sit there for much of the day. This isn’t the circus: they aren’t here to perform for us.
Oh, preschool. This is such an eccentric age, so different from what came before it. Babies can be taken along for the ride. There are clear-cut guidelines … Read more
Spring always brings a flurry of emotions. A break from school, more face-to-face time with the kids, warmer weather, movies with friends and road trips. … Read more
You learn a few things along the way after you become a parent. Before children enter the picture, the world is much simpler and far … Read more