Around our house, having a birthday the week after Halloween is similar to a post-Christmas birthday.It’s a good thing Carson abhors a fuss because his birthday falls on Nov. 5. Due to Halloween decorations involving weeks of preparations, Carson’s birthday is a bit of an afterthought.Though he doesn’t want a big deal made of his… Read more »
Category: Fatherhood Adventures
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – November 17, 2023
Processing something significant can be challenging for all of us.For a teenager like Beckett, who was adopted at birth by us in Pennsylvania, last Saturday was a milestone moment in his life. He had the opportunity to meet for the first time his biological half-sister. He and Brittany (for the sake of this space) connected… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – November 10, 2023
The first hour home after school for both my boys looks similar.It’s straight to his room for Carson, who wants some electronics time as soon as he gets home. If he has a good day at school, we say go for it.For Beckett, it’s also directly to his room after a detour to the kitchen… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – November 3, 2023
Watching my kids interact and have fun is a highlight of my life.I appreciate the insignificant, mundane daily moments, such as Beckett teasing his brother about not ever wanting to brush his hair, but it’s the shining examples of the unspoken, organic bond they share that brings tremendous value. It’s a special thing to witness.Last… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – October 27, 2023
At some point years from now, the boys will be given all these columns as I am keeping binders for them.I happen to be flipping through some of them the other day updating the binders. As I was flipping back through the last 15 years of writing this diary of sorts (more than 800 columns… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – October 20, 2023
I am back to reading about raising teen boys far too often.During an unpleasant rant after soccer practice this week about a range of things, none of which included soccer or even school, I could not resist the urge to refute what he was saying. Walking out of the office on deadline, driving to pick… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – October 13, 2023
It has been a heavy couple weeks for Beckett.Ever since he was born 15 years ago in West Chester, Pa., Beckett has known he was adopted. Pam and I agreed early on there would be no secrets. He would know everything, as he should, and we would answer any questions honestly along the way.Our adoption… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – October 6, 2023
“What a weekend. I miss it already.”This was what Beckett, 15, said Monday morning. Considering he didn’t get home until midnight from the last day of the Oceans Calling Festival, I figured he would be exhausted for school on Monday. It was quite the opposite, as he seemed to still be excited about the weekend… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – September 29, 2023
Less is more.This is an approach I have taken of late with 15-year-old Beckett.There was a time when our teenager didn’t share much with us. I would say now he shares a lot, but it’s more like a lecture or rant about a social topic, school matter or random observation.For instance, I listened one night… Read more »
The Adventures Of Fatherhood – September 22, 2023
A list of recent random things that have surprised me in varying degrees about raising teens. The Appetite: We are clearly at the point where neither Beckett, 15, nor Carson, 13, are ever full. There are times when they do stop eating, but it’s usually because they want to find something bad for them instead… Read more »