Ramp Up Back to School Reading with a Kindle Paperwhite & FreeTime App

kindle paperwhite

Back to school looks different when your kids are teenagers. There are no more chapter book milestones or reading logs to sign. But getting them to actually read — voluntarily, for enjoyment — is still very much a thing worth fighting for.

A few years back, when the boys were younger, we picked up a Kindle Paperwhite and it genuinely changed how our kids approached reading. We were skeptical — another screen — but the Kindle is different. It is built for reading, not distraction. No notifications, no app store, no rabbit holes.

Now that they are older, the Kindle is still in the house and still getting used. Here is why it has held up.

Rekindling the Christmas Spirit: A Dad’s Guide

Ah, Christmas. The time of year when the air is filled with the scent of pine, the sound of jingle bells, and the sight of… teenagers rolling their eyes at your festive enthusiasm. If you’re like me, a dad trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive, you might have noticed that things change as your kids grow older. Gone are the days when they were thrilled by a visit to Santa or a simple string of lights. Now, everything feels a bit more procedural, like we’re all just going through the motions. But fear not. Here are some tips to shake things up and find that elusive holiday magic again.

Rediscovering the Magic: The Best Toys of the 1980s

Growing up in the 1980s was a unique experience, especially when it came to toys. It was a decade filled with innovation and creativity, where every toy seemed to open a new world of adventure and imagination. If you were like me, the arrival of the Sears Wish Book marked the beginning of the holiday season, and it was our guide to the most coveted toys of the year.

The Sears Wish Book was more than just a catalog; it was a gateway to endless possibilities. It was like everything you wanted all packed into one book. For kids today, this was our iPad. I remember spending countless hours flipping through its pages, dreaming about the toys that I would put on my Christmas list to Santa. Among these, Star Wars and G.I. Joe action figures were always at the top.

Parenting Truths: The little things that test our patience

While parenting is a rewarding journey, it’s not without its frustrations. From constant interruptions to the never-ending messes, these small but persistent irritations can add up. As a form of dad therapy, I wanted to explore some of the most common things that annoy parents and how we can manage them with humour and patience. Spolier-alert, it’s not always possible, and that is okay. Let’s get started with some parenting truths.

Navigating teen smartphone use: A balanced approach

Negotiating phone time with teenagers can feel like a constant battle. It’s as if their devices are permanently attached to them, making it challenging to encourage breaks from screens. Even when they do put their phones down, the temptation to check social media or messages remains strong. This behaviour often leads to prolonged screen time, despite initial intentions for a quick check.

Should Big Tech do more to help control our scroll?

With the sports world mostly on a break other than the Paris Olympics (and the Blue Jays?), it also means a lot of my regular podcasts are also on a break.

So where do I turn? I turn to Trevor Noah and his insightful podcast called – What Now? With Trevor Noah.

I would describe it as a few people sitting around and talking about what is going on in the world, but they are not just complaining. They are digging deep into actual topics and having a very interesting conversation about them.