I remember some of the first times I ever worked on cars with my grandad or my uncle. They would pull over a stool and I would stare down into the mystery of the engine compartment, in awe of the machinery that made cars go so fast. My grandad could [...]
I started shaving at a young age, probably 12 or so. Whether I needed to or not could be up for debate, but whatever the case, it happened. It is one regret I have because I had a pretty strong beard by the time I was 17. The only [...]
When I was growing up, we had that one Uncle that was always in and out of confidential clinics. You know the one. He clearly had a “problem,” but no one talked about it, especially not to us kids. We figured it out when we were older, although we never [...]
As Christmas approaches, if your kids are anything like mine, their behavior gets better and their wish lists get longer. Even the ones that are grown and out of the house are more friendly. I get text messages with links to items on Amazon or various other sites. Also as [...]
I have 14 year old son. He is six feet tall, 175 pounds so he looks like an adult. Inside though, he is still just a kid, and he struggles with some of the same things I did when I was his age. He has trouble staying organized. He [...]
Not being wealthy (oddly it’s not something writers are known for) and not being overly prepared, I offered my kids one thing when it came to going to college: if they attended a local school, they would have a place to stay, rent-free or darn close. Not one of [...]
“Don’t write it down if you don’t want anyone to find out about it.” It was advice well-meaning adults gave to this writer in junior high, back before SnapChat when the notes we passed were intercepted by our teachers. Sometimes these were innocent, others included inappropriate sketches of teacher's [...]
“I never do it around them.” “Sure, my kids caught me, but I told them to do as I say, not as I do.” “What difference does it make? I have to manage my pain somehow, or I’ll bite their heads off.” We all have the potential to get [...]
Photo Courtesy Autism Speaks. In 2013, with the publication of the DSM-5 Diagnostic Manual, several subtypes of autism were combined into the single diagnosis Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While autism is all too common, the population afflicted varies greatly. Some function at a higher level than others and [...]
Generally speaking in my life I have not been a fan of counseling. Some of the early attempts to counsel me and help me “work through my issues” were either in the spiritual vein from church-based counselors, or from military counselors or psychologists. Yes, I had people lay hands on [...]
