As a college instructor, there’s one question I hear on a regular basis. And no, it’s not “Can we get out early today?” (ok, so maybe there are TWO questions I hear a lot.) Every time I get ready to give a test, a student (sometimes two. Or three. Often a dozen or more) will…
Tag: raising kids
Running the aisles
As a single parent, I find it’s often difficult to schedule BIG THINGS to do with my kids. Sure, from time to time we can, but those occasions are often few and far between. However, my kids (especially my son) often get to take part in a lot of little things – whether they want…
These aren’t any sing-along songs that Barney ever heard, Or at least won’t admit to
You know him. You love him. That big, lovable, purple dinosaur Barney. Ahhhhhh . . . he does bring back the memories. But when it comes to singing along with songs from the radio, our favorites are . . . ummmmmm, how can I say this . . . not exactly what you’d find on…
If you can play soccer on a hill . . .
In the small town where I live, a small group of parents are working on a rather diabolical, although ingenious scheme, that will, in time, change, and yes, even SHOCK the world. At least the world as it relates to soccer. Sure, small towns in Arkansas aren’t known for revolutionizing the game of soccer, which…
Son’s questions continue to pummel fatigued father
If I had a dime for every question my son has asked me over the years, I can assure you that Bill Gates would no longer be the richest man in the world. Here’s another sampling of what’s been on my son’s mind in recent weeks. “When you were growing up, did YouTube only show…
A slave to peanut butter
If you were to cut my son open, I don’t think you’d find the usual innards that make up most humans. instead, you’d see nothing but a light, creamy brown color because I’m almost SURE that he is made up of nothing but peanut butter. Ok, I admit, you might find a few pepperonis and…
I don’t live in a zoo, but I do live above one
There is a place between the earth we walk on and hell. It’s a dark and dangerous place. Dank and smelly. And full of creatures who have bright eyes, sharp, pointy teeth, and they don’t shower on a regular basis. Am I talking about another dimension? Another world that houses demons and spirits? Am I…
Reading to my kids – some of my favorite memories
I’ve done a lot of different things with my kids over the years, but some of my favorite memories came from one of the simplest of activities – reading to my kids. For the most part, my kids enjoyed it too. Oh sure, I had to tie them down to make them listen sometimes, but…
Cheatin’ at Pick-Up Sticks
I have a confession to make. I never cheated at Pick-up Sticks. But don’t ask my daughter – she won’t believe you. But first of all, how can you cheat at such a game? Second, why would you even bother? It’s Pick-Up Sticks, for goodness sake. When my daughter was younger (translated – more than…
The 501 hats of a single parent
I don’t think about it all that often and certainly not every day, but from time to time it hits me – how many different roles I play as a single parent. I know it’s not as bad some days as it is others. And I also know that parents who are married also have to…
Holding together the jello 