Dadcrossing

  Closing Out the Year as a Dad Hey dads, as the year wraps up, let’s take a moment to reflect. For my family, it’s been a pretty good year. Not perfect, but full of growth. I’ve learned a lot—like how to give my daughter space to be herself while still setting boundaries. Or how to loosen the reins on my 10-year-old son, who’s earned more trust and independence. And as a husband, I’m working on listening more and solving less. None of this is perfect, but hey, I’m celebrating the small steps forward. I’d encourage you to do the same. Think of it as defragging your year. Look back and relish the best moments—the laughs, the milestones, the wins. Celebrate how your kids have grown, not just in height but emotionally and mentally. And don’t forget to reflect on your own growth. Now, here’s the tricky part—take a look at the things that didn’t go so well. Not to beat yourself up or dwell on them, but to see if hindsight has gifted you any clarity. Maybe a tough period, like an illness...

  Prepping Your Kids for the Christmas Extravaganza Hey dads, let’s chat about how to make Christmas Day as smooth and magical as possible for your kiddos. Here’s the thing—Christmas is huge for kids. Think about it: they only get 17 of these magical days before they’re grown-ups. That’s wild, right? Naturally, they’re psyched to see what’s under the tree from you, Grandma, Auntie, and Santa. But let’s face it, not every gift is a showstopper. When they tear into a box and find Auntie’s favorite sticky-bottom socks, it might be a little... meh. That’s where we step in. We teach our kids to be grateful, and Christmas morning is a great time to remind them. A simple, “Hey, remember—every gift you get today was picked out just for you. Let’s make sure we say thank you and be happy with what we receive,” can go a long way. This little pep talk might save the day from any gift-related grumbles. Nobody likes seeing their gift get a thumbs-down, especially family. Now, about the day itse...

4:    Making the Most of Christmas Break with Your Kids Hey dads, let’s talk about something that sneaks up on us every year—Christmas break. The kids are off school in a week (if you’re on our school system’s schedule), and they’re pumped for two weeks of freedom. But here’s the thing: those two weeks can fly by with all the Christmas and New Year’s craziness, leaving little time for those simple, meaningful moments that stick with them forever. I’m not talking Disney World-level memories here. I’m talking about the quiet, cozy kind—the ones where you’re sipping hot chocolate by the Christmas tree or playing a board game together. Those are the memories I treasure most from my childhood. Between family gatherings, work, church, and everything else on the calendar, it’s easy to forget to make intentional space for just your family. But trust me, finding that time—just you and your kids—is so worth it. So here’s my list of 10 easy, simple, low-cost ways to make memories during...

So, guess what? Covid decided to make a surprise visit this holiday season. Lucky me, right? And as if that wasn’t enough, I passed it on to my daughter. Fun times. Before you worry, we’re both fine—no mortal danger here. But yeah, it’s been a bummer. The endless tiredness, coughing up a lung, no smell, barely any taste—it’s all the worst . When life doesn’t go our way, it’s so easy to toss the whole situation in the trash. Plans fall apart, nothing’s working how we wanted, and we’re ready to write it all off as a loss. Covid was definitely not my plan. I had to cancel or reschedule seven meetings, push a mile-long to-do list to next week, and generally watch my week crumble. But here’s the twist: This week wasn’t what I planned, but it gave me something I never intended—three solid days with my daughter. She’s vibrant, funny, creative, and so full of personality that I often miss because life gets in the way. Or because she’s figuring out how to stand out under her big brother’s shad...