I have been thinking a lot lately about the gifts we give our children. Not gifts like game consoles, bikes, and the occasional ugly sweater, but those gifts that come as a function or byproduct of parenting and role modeling. Of course, sometimes they aren't always gifts...sometimes they are handicaps. But the point is, we give [...]
Tag: cheyenne
Don’t talk – just listen.
I told my daughter Sarah the other day (who is 32 years old) that I remember what it was like being 14. Alas, I spent a couple of hours today with three 14 year old girls where my primary function was transport to, transport from, and low key supervision at the Street Fair - and [...]
An open letter to STEM Center Principal Michelle Weber…
Dear Principal Weber, At the outset, I ask that you share this letter with all of the faculty and staff at the STEM Center. I would also appreciate it if you shared it with the STEM family. I will be sharing it with the West Fargo School District Superintendent, Dr. David Flowers, and the North [...]
If only I owned a hair salon…
If I had a dollar for each time Cheyenne lamented - "Why can't you just own a hair salon or something? Why do you have to be in emergency management?" - I would have a fist full of dollars. It comes up every single time I reference anything about her safety or security. I am, [...]
14 years of sparkle…
Today is Miss Sparkle's 14th birthday. And no, that isn't an April Fool's Day joke...well, at least not this year. As I say every year on this day, the universe was likely trying to layer on a sarcastic commentary when I had Cheyenne on April 1, 1999 - just three months before my 40th birthday. [...]
Easter is a little different at my house this year…
One of the challenges of a shared custody agreement is that on alternating holidays your child is with the other parent. That reality pretty much shapes the way I view the activities I plan for any given holiday. For all of my parenting life my celebrations of holidays have been about making my children happy. [...]
THE NEW FORTY 