I worry about my son more than I’d like to and I know more than he’d like me to worry. He has informed me numerous times both overtly and slyly that he wishes I would stop worrying. But I can’t stop worrying. In fact, the older he gets, the more I seem to worry. He often thinks I worry about him making some boneheaded decisions during his ... [Continue Reading]
Another School Shooting, Rinse and Repeat
When I think of the most recent school shooting, I find myself also thinking about a time long ago when I had hair. Yep, there was a time when I was not follicly challenged. Back in the good old days, the days when I had flowing locks, I remember buying shampoo and conditioner to wash and condition my high-top fade. It’s been nearly twenty ... [Continue Reading]
Beware of the Fake News About Good Parents
What if I told you much of what you hear about parenting is not true? Fake News! What if I told you the color of one’s skin, race, creed or national origin has no predictive value on their potential to be a good parent? Fake News! What if I told you that neither gender, class, or socioeconomic status guarantee that one is more or less likely to ... [Continue Reading]
Look Out For Your Child’s Tipping Point Moments
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR CHILD'S TIPPING POINT MOMENTS Malcolm Gladwell calls it the 'Tipping Point'. The critical moment where the smallest thing could make a huge difference. That one moment that completely alters the trajectory of your life. In his book, The Tipping Point, Mr. Gladwell does not assert that childhood has a 'tipping point' but I ... [Continue Reading]
Four Things To Do Before Summer Vacation
Four Things To Do Before Summer Vacation If you are having a difficult time believing that it is almost summer, join the club. Parents all over the Country are asking themselves the same question: “Where has the time gone”? It seems like only yesterday that children were just starting the school year. Now there are only weeks or days remaining ... [Continue Reading]
Parent, Please Be A Skeptic This School Year
Another school year has begun, and many parents are already wondering what they should be doing to make sure their children are poised to have a fantastic school year. If you are one of those anxious parents who desperately want the best for their children, this post will be of particular interest to you. As a father who has been where you are, ... [Continue Reading]
“Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!”
“Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!” If you grew up in the mid to late sixties or if you are a fan of “classic” TV, you are no doubt familiar with those four words from Lost in Space. “Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!” are words the Robot spoke every time it realized the Robinson family especially the youngest son, Will, was in danger. The Robot ... [Continue Reading]
How A Black Dad Taught His Son to Surf
Let me guess. When you saw the words “Black” and “surf” in the same sentence you knew this had to be a misprint. I’m even going to go out on a limb and guess that you thought that there was no logical reason “Black” and “surf” should ever go in the same sentence. Except for the sentence “Black people don’t surf”, the words “Black” and ... [Continue Reading]
Things I Think About Parents But Rarely Say Out Loud
A week or so I was interviewed by George Kilpatrick of New Inspiration for the Nation. During the interview, Mr. Kilpatrick asked me a question that I had never been asked. George asked, “Is this a hobby for you or is this a lifestyle?” My response which surprised even me was that writing, speaking and advocating for children is a revolutionary ... [Continue Reading]
Is Your Child A Chip Off The Old Block?
There is a phrase my son’s grandmother has been fond of using to describe my son and I since his birth. Nearly every time we talk to or see Bibi (Swahili for grandmother), something occurs to make her say chip of the old block. For those who are unfamiliar with the expression, chip off the old block means that the child has qualities that are ... [Continue Reading]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »