My Monday Metrical Musings #250

man and boy playing guitars together

Will You Ever Sing With Me My Son? As I watched this morningFrom the humble pewThis father-son combo Belting out a tuneI felt a tearTrickling down my cheekAs I wondered, sonWill that someday be you and me? My boy, as you grow older and furtherAway from me into maturityWill you ever consider getting on stageTo … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #250

My Monday Metrical Musings #216

darts on a dartboard

14 on the 14th Son this will never happen again!So let's mark the day well yeah?Tomorrow, you're turning 14. On the 14th!Yet you look to me like you stopped timeTaller yes but the rest of you looks the sameLike you're still seven or nine. This year though marks a new milestoneSecondary school and more responsibilities.Son, … Continue reading My Monday Metrical Musings #216

Daily Living With Autism #16 — Poor Balanced Scorecard

autism written on clouds

I promise not to cry. Or so I tell myself on a fairly regular basis. Yet what's wrong with crying? It reminds me of my frail humanity, doesn't it? Of how real the challenge of raising a kid, especially one with autism and special needs, is. Over the years, I've cried privately and openly enough. … Continue reading Daily Living With Autism #16 — Poor Balanced Scorecard

Guest Post: There’s a “catch” to catching up! One dad’s warning

people running

Hey, welcome back to my occasional guest post series! (If you are keen to be a guest writer on my blog, please check out my guidelines by scrolling to the bottom of my About page) This year has been a bumper year for me as I was blessed with opportunities to connect with more stay-at-home … Continue reading Guest Post: There’s a “catch” to catching up! One dad’s warning

SAHDs Are NOT Secondary Caregivers!

boy and girl cutout decals

Two weeks ago, I posted about a group of dads I met. The group meets every month to talk about parenting stuff. Many of us are stay-at-home dads (referred to as SAHDs, pun fully and unfortunately intended). That status offers us unique perspectives of fathering many career-minded fathers who spend little time at home can't … Continue reading SAHDs Are NOT Secondary Caregivers!

Failing exams gloriously, son? No sweat!

anonymous black pupil solving task during lesson in classroom

My 12-year-old son C gloriously failed his mid-year exams over six weeks ago. Just like he did last year and the year before. But guess what? I'm ok about it. After all, let's face it. Nobody likes exams. At least nobody I'm acquainted with. I know I'm supposed to encourage my kids not to dislike … Continue reading Failing exams gloriously, son? No sweat!

Fathering Softer #1 — “being” not “doing”

man carrying baby drawing their foreheads

Two mornings ago, my wife and I sent C -- our youngest with autism -- to a three-day church camp. He was kicking and screaming in protest as usual. It's what he does every time there's a change in routine. After a while, I too felt like kicking and screaming, as my wife and I … Continue reading Fathering Softer #1 — “being” not “doing”

Parenting Motivations #14 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 2)

brown home printed rug beside door

It's official. Since my last post on this, I've decided: I shall not call myself a "stay-at-home dad" anymore! In fact, technically speaking, I probably couldn't from the very start when I stepped away from a full-time career in 2018. While I had several weeks and months without any work or income thereafter, I did … Continue reading Parenting Motivations #14 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 2)

In the blink of an eye, I’m 400!

close up of rolls of film on a wooden surface

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. And no, my blog title doesn't contain a typo. I really am 400 today! Or rather, this is now officially my 400th blog post! By sheer dogged perseverance, I've pushed myself hard to relentlessly churn one post after another since April 2019. My pace doubled in 2020 … Continue reading In the blink of an eye, I’m 400!

Parenting motivations #11 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 1)

assorted color cap lot in shelf

All of us go about our days wearing different hats as we transit from one role to another. When at work, we’re the power executive in tailor-made Armani suits. After work we change into our Lululemon sports gear for that weekly HIIT workout. Then afterwards, we’re home in our Alex Mill PJs tucking our kids … Continue reading Parenting motivations #11 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 1)