What I learned from parenting workshops #4 — Adaptive Mechanism 2 — Setting boundaries

black metal fence

Okay what?! Setting boundaries as a parenting strategy with a teen? I must be joking right? Alright my apologies. Who fires off three questions in rapid salvo to kick off a parenting mini-series that's looking less 'mini' by the week? (Oops not another question!) The truth is as I pen this series, I have to … Continue reading What I learned from parenting workshops #4 — Adaptive Mechanism 2 — Setting boundaries

What I learned from parenting workshops #3 — Adaptive mechanism 1: Respect & consideration

photo of woman tutoring young boy

Three weeks ago I started a parenting mini-series. To share insights gleaned from workshops I attended this year on how to parent teens. I then followed it up with another entry a week later. That one discussed the emotional, biological, social and relationship changes teens undergo. I ended the piece by mentioning mechanisms that parents like me might incorporate … Continue reading What I learned from parenting workshops #3 — Adaptive mechanism 1: Respect & consideration

What I learned from parenting workshops #2

cute family picture

Last week I started this new parenting mini-series as a way to document my own learning journey on how to better parent my teenage son. Today, I continue on from there to talk about the myriad of changes that are happening irreversibly, and often imperceptibly, in him! And boy are there many changes indeed when … Continue reading What I learned from parenting workshops #2

What I learned from parenting workshops #1 — Stages of psychosocial development

One of the things I often hear the older generation tell me is that parenting courses or workshops were non-existent during their time. Instead they just 'learn on the job'. "See, we got through without attending a single parenting course. Yet you young whippersnappers turned out okay no? So why bother attending any?" Actually, I … Continue reading What I learned from parenting workshops #1 — Stages of psychosocial development

Parenting in reverse #2: my Mother’s Day musing

purple petaled glower besode pen

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and wherever you're celebrating this, I hope it's a memorable one for you and your mom. With food, photos and fun for the whole family. For me though, it feels like just another day to step out for a meal with my mom; nothing more. Even that isn't a particularly welcome … Continue reading Parenting in reverse #2: my Mother’s Day musing

Are fathers more “next-of-kin”, “next-of-skin” or “‘neath-the-skin”?

man hugging the baby in blue floral fitted cap during daytime

I remember as a kid, when school enrolment or administration moments come around, we would have to fill up among other things details of a next-of-kin in case of emergencies. For that, I would typically put down my father's name. This went on for pretty much all of my academic life as I progressed from … Continue reading Are fathers more “next-of-kin”, “next-of-skin” or “‘neath-the-skin”?

How one fellow stay home dad emancipated me!

crop unrecognizable man talking to female psychologist

A recent incident reminded me that only a fellow stay home dad can truly understand another. One minute a fellow stay home dad and I were catching up over a cuppa to share our respective journeys minding our kids at home. The next minute I was bawling right there in front of my bewildered friend! … Continue reading How one fellow stay home dad emancipated me!

Parenting Woes #1 — A new mini-series

Recently I attended yet another webinar about parenting. I hate to admit it, but every time I do I find myself wondering: why am I here?And why are parenting woes never ending? Also, why are the questions parents ask at such gatherings almost always the same? Like endless loops acrobats leap through? Or the cycles … Continue reading Parenting Woes #1 — A new mini-series