What came first, the Parent or the Hypocrit?

 Posted by Bill on March 26, 2010  General, How to Communicate with Your Kids, The Craziness of Single Parenting  No Responses »
Mar 262010
 

This morning I was scheduled to do my monthly guest interview on The Doug Stephan Good Day Show at 5:06 am. I always love being on Doug’s show for two reasons. One because his show is heard on 400 radio stations nationwide and two, because I never know what Doug is going to ask me. That can be an interesting situation when you are up at 5:06 a.m. At 5:00 a.m. this morning Doug’s people called my people (that would be me since Michaela was still sleeping) and asked if we could move the interview to 7:06 a.m.? Who am I to argue with the host of a show heard by over 3 million people each month. Sure I said, but I will be driving the kids to school so we will need to do it on my cell phone. By the way my cell phone is tied into the speakers on my car. Fine by us they said..

Well right as Jack was getting out of the car for the bus the call came in and the interview began. Michaela is an inspiring journalist so she always loves to hear what questions hosts like to ask of thier guest. Today Doug decided to get my opinion on recent stories in the news dealing with both abortion and marijuana. Buckle up your seat belt Michaela this could get interesting. For times sake I will leave the abortion story for another blog, but having your 13 year old hear co-hosts going off on their beliefs about abortion is interesting, especially as I am sitting outside her Catholic school.

The other story that I was asked to comment on was about a father in California who stated he would much rather have his son smoke pot at home, than do it outside with others. “How would you as a single parent deal with that Bill” Doug inquired. Hmmm I thought for a minute and then I answered with… Does the dad think that if he allows his kid to smoke pot at home they will never do it outside of the home? Does he think that if he allows his kids to drink at home they will never do it outside of the home? Does he believe that if he allows his kids to steal money from his wallet, they will never steal from the local convenience store? What about if the kid steals his car at 2:00 a.m., takes it for a joy ride and wrecks it, will they never take someone elses car? Why does by doing it at home makes it all OK? Continue reading »

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Making the Connection

 Posted by Lisa on March 26, 2010  General  3 Responses »
Mar 262010
 

I just finished reading this article in the New York Times about a single father and his then 4th grade daughter who set out to read together (for ten minutes or more) for 100 nights straight and it turned into a routine that lasted until she went to college (more than 3,000 nights). I love to read with my kids and I really enjoyed this article. I think the consecutive nights of reading (or “streak” as the father-daughter duo refer to it) is a fun idea, but the single parent in me wonders if I could do it every night.

But really, is that the point? I don’t think so. What this single dad found was a way to connect with his daughter on a fun, engaging, and meaningful (not to mention educational) level. They did the project together. In this commitment to the streak, the daughter found stability in a turbulent time in her life. It gave them that something special. We can all do this in our lives (and probably already do on some level.)

A story like this goes to show that it really is the little things (10 minutes a night) that make the most difference. Last summer my boys and I read Old Yeller outloud together. If you have read it lately you’ll remember it is not exactly a potboiler or rollicking good time, like say Harry Potter. I am sure my sons will remember how long it took to read (many, many nights), how the boy in the book did not have a t.v. or hand-held video game and instead had to go out into the woods with his dog to find food for the family. They probably will remember mommy cried (just little) when Old Yeller died. Continue reading »