From The Dad Playbook: The Kiddie Crossover

like a dad

So what is the kiddie crossover you ask? Well it has nothing to do with Kriss Kross, nor does it have anything to do with Tim Hardaway.

The kiddie crossover is all about the dance you do when you have two kids.

As every parent knows, a routine does not last forever. And when those routines change, there can be a tough period that needs to be conquered or else.

Since our second boy was born in October, he has been pretty close to our first boy for sleep. Pretty easy  (okay my wife may disagree).

He slept in bed for a bit and then went to the bassinet. He has been a through-the-night sleeper for a few weeks now and things were great. Everyone was sleeping and the night was pretty predictable. Yes, there were a few parts I did not like, but all in all, very routine and easy (again, my wife grrrrrs).

So with Charlie joining the ranks of three-month old status, he has not only busted into a whole new wardrobe, it is time to think crib action.

We did the same with Harry around the same age and as we remember it, it went not too shabby.

5 Negotiating Tactics Of A Kid And How To Beat Them

All parents remember the age when their son or daughter figured out the art of negotiating. The point in their life when they started to haggle like they were buying a used car. It could be for anything, more food, longer play time, bedtime, how long they got to watch TV or even for nothing at all.

Kids love to negotiate when given even the smallest opportunity.

For our son, it started around the time he turned three. This also was around the time he really had a grasp of what each number meant.

As his negotiations skills have grown over the past few months, I felt it was time to take a look into what makes him tick.

So, here are 5 negotiating tactics of a kid and how to beat them (in no particular order)

Will There Be No Escaping Zero Dark Charlie?


Now be quiet, don’t wake up the hungry baby.

Is there a part of raising a new baby that you really dislike, even hate? I know, it is wrong to say you hate something when it comes to your own child and there will be those who blast me for even saying it.

Well the one thing that I hate and can say with full disclosure, is the 15 minutes before we go to bed.

This is the time of the night where we are done watching the little TV we get to see and also the time of night we wake the baby, who is either sleeping on my wife, on the couch or the odd time on me.

This is the part of the evening where he REALLY wants to eat and have his midnight snack before dozing off for another six to seven hours. Yes, I know, my am actually complaining even though we have a boy who sleeps through the night.

The time, usually 11pm to 11:20ish is like being in a movie where we have to launch, follow through and end a covert mission to try to keep the boy from total meltdown.

Thanks to the recent movie that is trending around the universe, Zero Dark Thirty, I have kind of coined the mission as Zero Dark Charlie.

Boy(s), What An Afternoon

I want to start this post with a disclaimer. I am in no way looking for sympathy, I fully understand many parents do this all the time. I am just sharing my thoughts.

Yesterday was Sunday. Sunday in our house is kind of like a catch up day, a relax day, a day where I in particular, get ready for the work week ahead. It is a time to get centered and a time to sleep in a little. Sunday is my sleep in day.

A morning where my wife will get up with both boys, so I can have a little peace and alone time. Now, most times, I don’t sleep. Either I am awake or there is just too much going on for me to fall back asleep.

But, it is still time to just be by myself to read, veg or whatever.

Yesterday started out like any other Sunday, but the difference was, later on, I would be left at home with my two sons. Shocking, I know.

That is not a big deal by any means, I have done it before. But on a Sunday, that meant having a fight with my internal self who would want to take care of all those little tasks to get prepared for the week ahead.

And if you knew me, you would know, it is really a slug fest on the inside.

Clipping Finger And Toe Nails Is Like Being In The Hurt Locker

Do you take care of the nail clipping in your house? Yes, I do my own of course but I also do the 3-year old’s, the 3-month old’s, the dog’s and even my wife’s toes when she was prego.

As you can see I have experience with clipping.

So why do I always feel like I am one of those guys in the Hurt Locker going to check out a bomb?

Well, because if you screw up with your delicate piece of work, all hell will break loose and someone’s anger will explode.

How many of you have cut that first baby nail too short and caused a leakage of blood that you thought would never end?

I have done it twice, one on each kid. I don’t count the dog, because his nails are dark black and it is impossible to keep a perfect record there.

Looking Back At 2012 Like A Dad

The last day of 2012 is here. Time to reflect, look ahead and most importantly, have everything you need from the grocery store (been out once so far).

Happy New Year to all of our readers whether you are a dad, mom, brother, grandfather, Internet addict or even if you are just lost.

This blog was in the design stage for most of the year. No name was thought of until late but the concept was there. To share dad stories, entertain and just be part of the parenting community.

It has only been a month but there have already been some great connections and several other dads who said they would like to join the party in 2013. Great news.

That is the future. Before getting to that, I, the creator of this slice of the net, want to look back at the moments of 2012 that changed the way we lived our lives (in reference to our two boys).

So many to share so I hope my wife forgives me if I leave a few out.

Here we go. Looking back and 2012……like a dad.