Tag Archive for: responsibility
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In Defense of Participation Trophies
Let's not blame the trophies.
First, it's important to note that I'm not addressing the concept of "grade inflation" or the idea that every child in a given class is an honor student (as was eloquently written about by Michael Sigman in his…
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The Evolving Dad
We’re evolving – all of us – and so is our world, or should I say “our worlds” as each of us is surrounded by our own experience.
As society has shifted away from the “good ‘ol days” (a “Madmen” episode filled with smoke…
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How Sports Teach Us
This is a great time of year for sports. We’ve just seen a great French Open, Stanley Cup Final, and NBA Final.
Whether you’re an athlete or not, sports offer real opportunities to teach values, focus, and tenacity. As parents, even…
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The High Cost of Bad Parenting
I believe that most parents are good parents. It’s my observation that a majority of our citizens are well-behaved, respectful, and law-abiding. But I also see a society that devotes an immense amount of energy and resources to deal with…
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The Hugs I Regret Not Giving
I don’t typically regret much. I believe what’s past is past. As I get older, however, the passage of time allows me to look back and consider life’s lessons.
Our children are now grown, for the most part. Our sons are certainly men,…
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It’s All My Fault
When I went to college in the mid ‘70s, I made fun of people who sat in the front row of the class. I thought their eagerness to get good grades was a “kiss ass” thing and that real “free thinkers” didn’t have to conform to the rigorous…
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A Legacy Of Love
My Grandfather, Nathan, was an incredibly shy man. In addition to being very short (5’4”), he was a quiet and kind immigrant who listened far more than he spoke. He came from Russia to pursue a better life, and made his living as a bicycle-riding…
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Kanye’s Silver Lining
Yep, we almost saw it again, Kanye West deciding that his musical opinion trumps all others – and that he is the true arbiter of all musical “art.” Part of the good news is that we didn't see it – at least we didn’t see the rude…
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Ballet Dads
We’ve got three sons and a daughter. They arrived in that order. By the time our daughter Emily was born, I had coached and/or refereed multiple seasons of Little League, Muni Basketball, and AYSO. When our daughter arrived she showed…
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Five Easy Resolutions Every Parent Can Make
These are difficult times in which to raise children. We’ve become a culture that mistrusts authority, that believes individuals are often more important than the society, and that everyone deserves special treatment. As a result, it is up…