A dad realizes he’s stopped truly holding his older kids, vows to start again before it’s too late.
Tag: parents
Random Musings #14
The first week of school. Well, that’s about all there is to it, really. If you know any teachers or anyone who works at a school and welcomed kids back this last week, please check on them. Don’t be surprised if they don’t answer right away. They’re probably still sleeping. But in all seriousness, the… Continue reading Random Musings #14
Thirty: The Annual Back to School Rollercoaster
As summer fades like the last glow of a firefly, I’m sitting here writing this post, feeling the weight of back-to-school season settle in. The end of summer always hits me hard, with those glorious days of no alarm clock, filled with spontaneous adventures or late nights watching baseball games. Those moments of pure, unhurried… Continue reading Thirty: The Annual Back to School Rollercoaster
Twenty-Seven: A Day of Faith, Family, and Fun: Our Catholic Retreat Experience
Last Saturday, our family embarked on a soul-nourishing journey at an all-day Catholic outdoor retreat, the first one we’ve ever attended as a family. It was certainly a day to remember! From praying together in the presence of Our Lord to a serene rosary walk with a stunning replica of the Our Lady of Guadalupe… Continue reading Twenty-Seven: A Day of Faith, Family, and Fun: Our Catholic Retreat Experience
Twenty-Six: Reflections on a Restaurant Compliment
Last week, my family and I visited a historic local restaurant, an amazing old-fashioned delicatessen with lots of natural light and the comforting aroma of fresh bread and pasta wrapped in a century old building. The kids, as usual, were their lively selves, chatting and giggling, but mindful of their manners. We’ve worked hard to… Continue reading Twenty-Six: Reflections on a Restaurant Compliment
Random Musings #11
“I’m a boy mom!” “I’m a girl dad!” Gag me already. You’re a mom. You’re a dad. You’re a parent. Stop with this garbage. Being a parent isn’t about trendy labels like “boy mom” or “girl dad.” It’s about the real, messy, incredible work of raising a human. Those terms are just social media fluff,… Continue reading Random Musings #11
Twenty-Five: Six Months (or so) of Bring Back Big Families
It’s been a full and fast-paced six months here at Bring Back Big Families. Between swimming pool clean-ups, late-night reflections, and a deep dive into what it really means to be a strong dad, I’ve covered a lot of ground lately. The Dad Strong series unpacked the four pillars of strength—physical, mental, spiritual, and intellectual—and how they play… Continue reading Twenty-Five: Six Months (or so) of Bring Back Big Families
Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Four – Sharpening Your Intellectual Strength
A dad’s mind is a tool that needs constant sharpening. In a big family, where questions fly from “Why is the sky blue?” to “Daddy, in what situations would I need a gas mask?” (you might laugh, but that’s a real question from my eight-year-old/survivalist son), intellectual strength means staying curious and informed. By always… Continue reading Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Four – Sharpening Your Intellectual Strength
Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Two – Cultivating Mental Strength for Your Family
As a dad, your mental strength is the bedrock of your family’s stability. In a big family, chaos is constant, from spilled juice to sibling squabbles to unexpected bills. Mental strength isn’t about never feeling stressed; it’s about adopting a selfless mentality that shows your kids how to face life’s challenges with grit and grace.… Continue reading Twenty-Three: Dad Strong, Part Two – Cultivating Mental Strength for Your Family
Twenty-One: The Beautiful Mess of a Big Family in a Little House
Our house is small, much smaller than most people would probably believe. I know people with half the kids I have who live in a house that’s literally 3.5 times the size of our house (not a joke or an exaggeration either) because they “outgrew” their previous house which was only twice the size of… Continue reading Twenty-One: The Beautiful Mess of a Big Family in a Little House