On World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 in a previous year, my wife posted on Facebook, “Autism is a journey we never planned, but we sure do love our tour guide.”Although she doesn’t claim to be the writer in the family, her words were incredibly poignant.Through a display of the color blue, whether it’s… Read more »

Monday was one of those days.There were a handful of stressful situations throughout the day involving my kids. Individually minor and forgettable, but merge them all into a short time span and stress, pressure, second guessing and frustration ensues.What makes handling these matters complicated is the communication side of things and varying ways we need… Read more »

A fun week was spent at Universal Orlando Resort. I figured it would be a great time for the kids, but my goal was to also score some relaxation while away.When Pam was making our travel plans and securing the park passes, I encouraged her to allocate at least one full day for nothing. I… Read more »

(This article is a reprint from June 21, 2011)Pediatrician visits with little ones are always interesting, but when both kids go on the same day things are even trickier.In this particular case, taking the efficient route was not the path of least resistance, and we learned a valuable lesson in the process.A while back, Pam… Read more »

Celebrate the good days, learn from the bad ones.It’s always been our approach with Carson, who has a rare disease called Duplication 7 and Autism. With rare disease day on Feb. 28, I thought I would explain what exactly his. disability is officially because the day’s intent is to educate.Soon after Carson was born in… Read more »

Over the last few months, this column has turned heavy. I suppose it’s inevitable through the teenager years for the content to change. The days of explosive diaper changes in rest stops and chaotic double bath times have been replaced with daily complexities of raising teens that leave me waffling between stress exercising for hours… Read more »

I have been a parent for more than 13 years now, and I certainly underestimated many aspects of this journey.It’s tough work. I never thought parenting would be easy, but I am guilty of not understanding the complexities involved with raising kids. They change over time and seemingly daily in puberty.Though I didn’t feel this… Read more »

Parenting an early teen is not for the weak, and there are some days I come up short.I’m inconsistent. By the end of the work day, I am just exhausted, and all too often take the easier route when it comes to keeping my 13-year-old in check.One thing I am consistent about is homework. If… Read more »

There are a new generation of fathers out and about, and it’s wonderful to observe them from a distance.In some ways, it seems like yesterday I became a father for the first time, but the reality is my oldest son turns 14 in a couple months. There are many long days along the way, but… Read more »

We packed seemingly everything we own and headed to Vermont for an extended vacation last month.We left on a Saturday and it snowed the night before at home. We arrived back on home the following Sunday and there was a blizzard the day before. Therefore, we left the snow, to head to more snow and… Read more »