A sense of humor is a must for raising kids. Laughing through some of the trials and tribulations helps the journey. Some examples to illustrate the point: Beckett, 15, and a buddy went to play soccer recently. It was in the mid-90s and I thought they were crazy. I watched as Beckett and his friend… Read more »

It’s been interesting in recent years to see how mental health has come to the forefront. It’s a great thing.I think about my kids’ psyche, confidence, happiness and wellness too much probably. With my boys 15 and 13 years old, respectively, I miss the days full of laughter and carefree thoughts and wants. There are… Read more »

Earlier this month, and here’s  your sappy column alert, Beckett finished ninth grade and Carson put a wrap on seventh grade. I needed a couple weeks to process it, as time seems to be flying these days.Maybe it was Father’s Day last weekend or just winds of nostalgia blowing through me, but of late I… Read more »

I was especially crushed this week on the work front and admit I am taking the easy route this week in this space by sharing another viewpoint.With the thought school wrapping up for most Tuesday, I thought I would share a teacher’s view on the last day. This appeared in 2015 on the former Huffington… Read more »

There’s nothing quite like observing my wife watch my son at work in a restaurant.I find her anxiety and observations funny, but I don’t think Beckett, 15, feels the same way.Beckett will be working as a bus boy at Sterling Tavern in Berlin this summer. He worked in a similar capacity last summer at the… Read more »

As far as graduation speeches go, I think I have heard about 100 of them in my life. Though I didn’t see this particular one in person, I wanted to share a speech from last year.A 24-year-old woman from New Jersey with non-verbal Autism, Bonker was one of Rollins College’s five valedictorians, achieving a perfect… Read more »

“Hey, can I have a BBQ sandwich for dinner?”It was a text from my son Beckett, 15, at 6:50 p.m. last Thursday. This is a normal text to get at night in our house. Family dinners together these days are unusual with busy schedules. At least a few times a week our family eats together… Read more »

Mother’s Day was last weekend.I am blessed to have been raised by a wonderful, caring mother, and my sons – 15 and 13 years old, respectively — are beyond fortunate to have Pam as their mom as she is their greatest advocate and will do anything for them. She on a daily basis puts them… Read more »

An interview with long-time local business owners Danny and Mary Moore this week resulted in more personal parental reflections than usual for me.At one point, Mary Moore spoke of the pride she and her husband have for their business but especially their four grown children. She said in a casual conversation, “they are everything to… Read more »

Tuesday was evidently National Teacher Appreciation Day.I am not a teacher, but I have long thought about getting into education at some point in my life. I think my older son Beckett would be an outstanding teacher because I see a lot of the same traits in him that I remember from my favorite teachers… Read more »