Our Pet Golden Retriever Emmy just turned eleven years old a few weeks ago. She is a great dog and a loyal companion. In honor of my dog Emmy turning eleven, I thought I would offer eleven benefits that owning a pet can bring to your children. Pets Provide Comfort Try snuggling with a…
I will never forget the kid, although I have forgotten his name.He was in the bed next to mine for a short time at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. We were both eleven years old. I was in intensive care recovering from major open heart surgery. He was in intensive care for another reason. He had…
School is now beginning. Some parents may be rejoicing while others may be dreading the daily grind of taking kids back and forth to school, sports practice and other activities. Instead of groveling about it, appreciate this time because it goes quickly! The Following story from me appeared in The Chicken Soup for the Soul…
It often takes a life changing event to change your perspective on what’s important in life and no event is more life changing than death. Ironically, after my own death I have learned more about parenting and living. Last November I died! It was a cold snowy day….or so I’m told. I was offered this…
Sometimes a simple moment in life can provide a lasting impact. I realized this the other day, when I heard an ice cream truck coming down my street. As the distinctive music of the ice cream truck tried to beckon children in our neighborhood, I immediately had a flashback to thirteen years before when my…
A trip to the grocery store with the kids can be a parent’s worst nightmare. Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be something that you and your child dread.
I have learned a few things in life about life. I’ve learned that Life isn’t perfect! Another thing I’ve learned about life is that it doesn’t always go as planned. My wife and I planned to have 3 or 4 kids. Once we started trying to have a family, we went through many struggles just…
Every few years my wife and I spend Valentine’s Day at home. We forego the fancy restaurant and we make a home-cooked dinner that is just as good and half as expensive. A night out is good for a couple, especially a couple with kids. Getting all dressed up and being waited on makes you…
Bad days are a part of life The Carpenters sang about “Rainy Days on Mondays” getting them down. James Blunt more recently had a big hit with “You’ve Had a Bad Day”. These songs, countless poems and a variety of Blues music tell us that bad days are a part of life. It is never…
A while back my wife and I each recalled one of the happiest trips of our childhood. It might surprise you to know it was not a trip to the circus, an amusement park or Disney World. The trip we each fondly remembered was a trip to the family attic. Attics can be dirty, dusty…
