Parenting

I have to say, this is one of the best things I've done in years as far as parenting goes. My daughter is actually excited about working in the garden. Amazed by the miracle of getting food from the earth (it is amazing after all). I'm overjoyed to see her so excited about something that doesn't involve a screen. Even though we're just getting started, she's already proud and wants to show it off.

Before the flaming starts I should acknowledge that I'm aware there is an obesity problem in the U.S. and that our children are greatly affected by this. That is truth, and I get it. BUT, this kind of stuff doesn't seem like the solution.

I'm pretty far from a perfect dad, so I don't often dish out advice on how to be one, but there is one thing that I learned from my dad that I think will pay out in the long run. Always remember that the person you see as your ex, your child just sees as Mom.

Of course, with unsupervised kids, your options are limited. You can shush them, but if the kids have been indoctrinated into the "adults can't do anything to me" philosophy, they don't really care.

If you've got a full time job and a kid who's not old enough to be left at home to their own devices all day, summer can be a challenge.

First, "Dry Clean Only" means wear it until it stinks, then hand it down to your cousin...we're not "Dry Clean" people. Second, complaining about the laundry is a great way to inherit the chore of doing your own laundry.

Usually this is not a holiday that I partake in, but this year I've been debating whether or not to prank my daughter. She's taken to the habit of scaring me lately e.g. sneaking up behind me and saying, "Hi daddy!" in a loud voice. Pretty mild as far as pranks go, but it still gets under my skin. The last time she did it, I warned her that April Fool's Day was coming soon and I might have to work up some elaborate scary prank.

I know we're just barely into Spring, but it's already time to start thinking about what to do with the kids when they get out of school for the Summer. I'm a big fan of things that keep them off the couch and lie somewhere between free and cheap. Pricewise, the "Kids Bowl Free" title says it all. You'll only be out 2 bucks for shoe rental.

So, for today's parents, do you have an age in mind that you will demand your kids be on their own? I don't mean that you wouldn't give them a place to stay if they needed it or let them starve or any such other cruel thing.

The two nerdiest nerds I can recall from my own past were Willard and Myron. It's almost as if their parents knew they would end up being the eggheads in school. Football captains have names like Trent or Trevor...not Eggbert or Cornelius.