Teaching Our Son To Ride A Bike

harry-bike
Teaching our son to ride a bike is a lot of fun.

There are many, many things on a dad’s list of things he can’t wait to teach his kids. Maybe even a million things. But one of the most exciting for me is teaching our boys how to ride a bike. I mean, the say, it is like riding a bike has stuck around for a reason right?

We bought Harrison his first “big boy” bike last year for his third birthday. It has training wheels, a bell and everything a boy’s bike should have.

He was excited at the idea of riding a big bike instead of this three-wheeler but going from thinking to doing took some time.

He hated to pedal and was not that thrilled with having to have dad push him.

So since it was fall and the snow would be coming, we just took it slow. Riding around out front of the house now and then. Pedaling, just was not going to happen.

I was not that worried as he was only 3-years old and there was plenty of time to ride.

Parenting Is A Lot Like Weeding Dandelions


This photo literally gives my dad the cold sweats. 

Ah dandelions, those little yellow bastards that ruin everyone’s lawn this time of year. If you are like me, you are currently having that annual debate whether it is worth taking on the challenge of digging them up and returning your lawn to that pure green colour it should be.

I have the easy-dig stick thing that is supposed to make dandelion plucking fun. I have the interest to de-weed my lawn. I even have the patience to stand outside and do it for an hour or two. So what is the problem?

The problem is, no matter how much work I put into it, I know those little guys that my son calls flowers are just going to grow back and continue to taunt me. I mean, there are about 700 of them in my neighbour’s yard just waiting to come on over.

Yesterday as I was outside trying my best to get every last dandelion patch, it got me thinking. Pulling dandelions is a lot like parenting.

Try as you might to clear the deck of chores, problems, lists and events, there will always be more ready to pop up. Now, don’t get me wrong, these are not all negative things. But dandelion pulling remind me of and old adage that my dad would always use.

“_______ is a lot like painting a bridge. Once you are done, you have to start all over again.”

Again, that sounds like parenting to me.

Harry-isms #1: Different Ways He Likes His Cheese

For about as long as Harrison has been roaming the earth, he keeps saying funny words or phrases that my wife and I find hilarious. Now, I get that we are his parents and we have a definite bias, but some of this material is too good to pass on. So, finally, I have decided to start sharing his words with the world. Like most kids who are under 5-years old, they have their own language. Their own way of describing things and referring to things. I think it is pretty amazing stuff.

So without further rambling, here is the first installment of Harry-isms #harryisms.

harryisms-cheese

My Weekend Without The Boys

Tuesday morning. Everything back to normal. We all survived the May long weekend. My wife took the boys to Toronto for what was to be a girl’s weekend/visit with Nana/work trip. Just the thought of everything my wife was going to do once I dropped them off at the airport made me tired.

While she was being supermom, I was going to be at home, by myself. Did not seem fair. I was going to get to sleep in, have relaxing time and take care of few chores that have been piling up.

The obvious downside for me was I would not get to spend time with the family on a weekend that is traditionally that unofficial start to summer.

Well, not in Halifax it wasn’t.

The weather was more like November. Frost warnings, cold rain and I even had to turn the heat back on. Meanwhile in Toronto it was warm enough for shorts.

So what did I get up to with all my free time? Well I had a list and I am happy to admit that I pretty much cleared it out.

Home Alone The Dad Version

Good morning. A morning post? What gives?

Well that is how it goes when the house is empty and there is not a baby sleeping in a swing next to your computer.

Yep, night 1 of being on my own went okay. I survived the quiet.

I do miss the fam jam based on the following evidence.

  1. I have thought I heard the kids at least three times.
  2. I did not know what to do with myself between 5:30-8 pm.
  3. I watched the 10 pm news just because that is what we usually do.
  4. I woke up thinking I heard the baby.
  5. I woke up at 6:38 am just like I do every morning.
  6. I started making a bottle before making my tea (okay I made that one up).

Needless to say, it is weird being in this house without the wife and boys. It just does not seem right.

Top 10 Worst Dads on TV

Wondering what makes up a good dad?

Well TV is not always the best place to get your tips. We have  highlighted some dads you can currently watch on TV who would not be ideal role models.

Top 10 Worst Dads On TV 

Recap Of The First 25 Days Of Parental Leave

theboys

So many memories, so many experiences and it has only been 25 days of parental leave. It kind of feels like 50 days to be honest. But in a good way.

My first five weeks of parental leave have gone pretty much how I expected. The only thing I did not count on was how tired I would be. I had planned on doing a lot of little projects while on PL (this blog being one) but to be honest, most days, when I do get free time, I just want to sit on the couch and rest.

I have had to push myself to do more. More around the house, more on my online projects and more when it comes to taking care of myself. I would say I am doing pretty good for at least three days per week. But once Friday hits, it seems to be a total write off.

I also have to remind myself that it is okay to be tired and to just relax. Taking care of a baby is tiring work, both mentally and physically. If anyone tells you different, they are not doing it right, or at least not enough.

I have had the chance to spend several hours every day with my baby boy. I have seen him learn to sleep in his crib, sit upright, eat solid food and watch him deal with incoming teeth.

With our first son, I saw all that as well but only in spurts. I was not there to see the “firsts” and I know my wife hates missing those this time around.

I will be here when he crawls and maybe even walks. It is very exciting and I feel lucky that I can do it.

Reminder To Dad: My Son Is Only Three

Originally posted on The Dads Round Table.

 

Over the last few days, our three-year old son has become more and more angry, upset and not like himself. His happy face crumbles in seconds over the smallest thing. His usual chipper attitude vanishes before our eyes. He is not right.

That leads my wife and I to conversations on what it could be?

Would it be something at home?

Did something upset him at preschool?

Is he is sad that he can’t watch Game of Thrones?

Okay, so that last one is just me trying to put a smile on this new situation in our house. We have not had to deal with this yet in our parenting lives.

But, after discussing it and thinking about it and putting it all together, the thing I realized was I had to step back and remind myself, that our son is only three.

Read full post here.