The Blog at a Crossroads

I must admit to being really frustrated lately with my blog. I don’t know what I should do as I seem to have run out of steam for posting anything here and I don’t know why. I want it to succeed, but it is not. And I am frustrated by that. I have another creative… Continue reading The Blog at a Crossroads

Ozymandias: A Dad Poem, but (Again) Not Mine

I’m still thinking a lot lately about death, about what we leave behind, and how all of it weaves into this wild, beautiful thing we call dad life. Two poems keep surfacing in my mind for my own hypothetical funeral: John Donne’s Death Be Not Proud (read my reflection on it here) and Percy Bysshe… Continue reading Ozymandias: A Dad Poem, but (Again) Not Mine

Death Be Not Proud: A Dad Poem, but Not Mine

This post contains an Amazon affiliate link—I make a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you! Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about death. Two guys I grew up listening to and watching—Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down and James Van Der Beek—both left us far too soon after hard fights… Continue reading Death Be Not Proud: A Dad Poem, but Not Mine

Failure: A Dad Poem

Ten days after the intended streak died, here’s the poem about why it always does. Still in my poetry era. For a few more days. Three days seems to be the max of what I’m capable of I start strong Three days of roving rolling and strolling But day four is a crash and burn… Continue reading Failure: A Dad Poem

Elegy to My Hairline: A Dad Poem

One poem every day for twenty-eight straight days this February. Suffice it to say, I’m in my Poetry Era. My hairline quietly steps backlike an old friend saying goodbye without fuss.Temples thinning, crown opening to sky.I trace the new geography in the mirrorand feel less panic with each look, only time doing its gentle work.… Continue reading Elegy to My Hairline: A Dad Poem

Dad’s Day in Haiku: A Dad Poem

One poem every day for twenty-eight straight days this February. Suffice it to say, I’m in my Poetry Era. Alarm clock ringing loudly across the bedroom. 5:10 comes too fast.  Kitchen light stings my eyes never really rested.  The oven is set.  Lunches packed, breakfast commences with groggy heads.  Breakfast rouses all.  7:00, out the… Continue reading Dad’s Day in Haiku: A Dad Poem

Counting Down to “Discuss with Dad” – A Dad’s Dream for Real Talks

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Bring Back Big Families! As a dad raising a big, lively family, I’m constantly looking for simple but powerful ways to slow down the whirlwind… Continue reading Counting Down to “Discuss with Dad” – A Dad’s Dream for Real Talks

Forty-Five: Pivoting My Blog From Family Stories to Your Dad Field Guide (and Why I’m Making the Shift)

Ever started something with pure heart—pouring out the chaos and quiet wins of big-family life—only to realize it’s mostly echoing in an empty room? That’s where I found myself after a full year of consistent posting here on Bring Back Big Families. As a husband and father of six young kids, I kept showing up.… Continue reading Forty-Five: Pivoting My Blog From Family Stories to Your Dad Field Guide (and Why I’m Making the Shift)

Super Easy Kid-Approved Chicken and Rice

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep this big-family blog running! There’s nothing I hate more than having to read a long, drawn out story before the recipe. So here’s the recipe: The Recipe Ingredients Directions Feeds 6-8… Continue reading Super Easy Kid-Approved Chicken and Rice

Random Musings #20

Rare and random two post day. It must be Christmas! My oldest performed Christmas songs with her choir at a local pizza place. They sang six or seven (sorry. I couldn’t help myself) songs, and as they were singing, I couldn’t help but notice a dad in front of me on his phone the entire… Continue reading Random Musings #20