Category: parenting

  • Thank me when you are 30

    Thank me when you are 30

    One my favorite movie scenes is when Sydney P., in the movie”Guess who is coming to dinner?” said to his father, something like “It’s your job to raise me, you brought me into this world”. “When it’s my time, I will do the same for my children”. There is no need for children to thank…

  • My advice to you, dear daugther

    My advice to you, dear daugther

    Dear daughter, For your 18th birthday, and on my 48th year, I wish to write down something for you to refer back to in the next 30 years. I wish to tell you a few simple thoughts to help you to build a life for yourself that 30 years later, you would look back and…

  • Identity as a father

    Identity as a father

    For the last 18 years, my identity is primarily a father and a software engineer.  My daughter is going to be 18 years old in a few days and I wanted to remind myself that a large part of my identity is not lost, but changed. In order for her to be a fully formed…

  • Talk About Your Frustrations

    Talk About Your Frustrations

    Dear future self: Today, you were frustrated at your teenage daughter that she was 10 minutes later in leaving the house for high school. Even though she is the only one affected, you felt that it reflected on your personal value to be early or on time. You expressed to your daughter that you were…

  • Saying It Out Loud

    Saying It Out Loud

    This week I learned something new about myself.    I learned that what I’m thinking in my head,  when not explicitly told to those I love,  is not necessarily known to those love ones. This seems like a very obviously point,  but I often make this mistake.   I think this could be that I…

  • My daughter the writer

    My daughter the writer

    My daughter is taking up writing and publishing her stories publicly on WattPad.  Her current series is based on the seven sins and she is trying to take on seven different writing styles. Give it a try and support her efforts in putting her writing out there 🙂  You will have to sign up for…

  • “Pink” College

    (old post from 2007) Kate loves watching Blue’s Clues and especially one episode, “Steve goes to college”. So tonight, instead of reading she wanting me to tell her all about college. I used this perfect timing to tell her about learning and doing well in school. Kate: “Is there a pink college? I want to…

  • C: Will I hate you when I’m a teenager?

    C: Will I hate you when I’m a teenager?

    The original post was in 2005 when C. was 5 years old. A few days ago, C asked “Dad, will I hate you as a teenager?” I was a bit caught off guard.  I told C that it’s possible that when kids grow into their teenage years, their hormones could change, and they will be testing the…

  • link: Your kids will not be grateful until they are 30 years old. NYTimes: All Parents Are Cowards

    This article reminds me of how I felt as a single parent with C..  Scared, protective and constantly worried.  As she is heading to high school, I wish to teach her to be independent, free thinker, know to fail and recover.  For other parents, this article is a great read amd a reminder that being…

  • Math Get To 24 iOS App

    Math Get To 24 iOS App

    My daughter C. designed the logo, intro video and the entire app screen for this fun math game. Try it out and let me know what you think. download on The 24 Game is an arithmetical card game in which the object is to find a way to manipulate four numbers so that the end result…