A highlight of coaching kids is the raw emotion often on display.Every kid is different, and each player reacts in different ways to certain situations. Emotions run high because there is passion.I’m currently coaching my son’s soccer and basketball teams. The sports are incredibly different. To a player, basketball brings more emotions for a variety… Read more »

I remember a youth coach saying one time, “there’s no losing, only learning.” I recall not thinking a lot of that at the time because he had to repeat the message of “win or learn” after every single loss.As a coach now of young people, I have found myself saying some version of that to… Read more »

Leaving behind a house my kids were raised in was a lot harder than I imagined.The problem is there’s really no time to focus on the gravity of it all amid the subsequent moving process.There was time this week to reflect a bit on the home, which was where I proposed to my wife and… Read more »

(Editor’s Note: The writer is on vacation this week. This is a reprint from 2014.)It’s cliché, but a vacation in Disney World truly is magical.I can’t even write that corniness without laughing, but it’s so true. I’m skeptical by nature, thanks to my profession, and had high expectations for Disney, but the entire experience exceeded… Read more »

The stress level has been running high this week around the house, due to us being in the middle of a move and mid-terms for our middle school kid.Beckett, the sixth grader who was actually taking the tests and moving out of the only home he has ever known, seemed largely unfazed by both, however…. Read more »

Though it’s too early to tell, we are hoping a new app could be a breakthrough in Carson’s speech journey.Despite the occasional exceptions, there are only a few places Carson will use his voice to talk. He will express himself verbally with limitations with the safe confines of his private speech therapist’s office, at home… Read more »

The Christmas and New Year’s weeks were a blur.Over the course of the two weeks, Pam and I tried to take off as much time as schools were closed. Most of us in my house woke up each day wondering what day it was. It felt like 12 straight Saturdays. It was great. Aside from… Read more »

(Editor’s Note: Due to early deadlines this week, I dusted off an archive from Christmas week 2009 for republication.)A morning spent in the emergency room will surely make this a Christmas I will never forget. My oldest son, Beckett, is a “bruiser.” I find him hilarious, particularly during meals of late when he consistently points… Read more »

The last week of school before holiday break is the best and the worst.It reminds me of a recent “Saturday Night Live” skit featuring Matt Damon and Cecily Strong. The skit portrays the two as a couple finally sitting down to some peace and quiet on Christmas night for a conversation about their hectic day…. Read more »

Though there are examples to prove the contrary, I am generally amazed at how understanding people are when it comes to our special needs kid.Carson has come incredibly far with his behaviors. When I compare him today to how he was a few years ago, it’s impossible to not be incredibly proud of his progress…. Read more »