Today’s Shooting Really Puts Things In Perspective

I won’t go into what happened today, you already know that. Opinions are flooding the Internet and TV screens everywhere. We get it, guns are bad. Why are these tragic moments still happening? It is just so messed up.

It is Christmas. All of the hustle and bustle does not seem to be that big a deal anymore. So what if that one perfect gift is sold out. Who cares of there is a long line at the store.

There are parents that no longer have the kids they started the day with. Going home to a house of what was to be Christmas cheer.

It makes me so mad and so sad all at once.

Yes, it was touching to see President Obama get choked up about it. But is anything going to change? Doubtful. The news cycle will run the course and we will go back to normal until the next shooting.

Dad vs. Mr. Independent

Watching our 3-year old son grow up by the day is fascinating to watch. It is hard to believe there is so much change even by the day. It blows my mind to look back a few weeks and months to see how much he has changed.

The latest change (for the good) is his full-blown independence. He wants to do everything himself without help.

This is most evident when it comes to getting dressed. He now fully undressing and dresses himself. It is amazing to see his brain works as he figures out where sleeves go, which shoe goes on what foot and how to put on a big winter parka.

For me, the hard part is just letting him do it. Sometimes it takes much longer than I would like and I try to help.

That is where Mr. Independent steps in. He says “no dad I am going to do it all by myself.”

This can even include him walking around the house to avoid any chance of help.

We are now working on the fact that it is okay to ask for help and he is slowly buying into this.

Now he will try his best until he gets frustrated (a new word he is using) and then will ask for help.

Cereal Saves The Day

Just had a loud and a little frustrating dinner. Luckily, cereal saved the day.

Our 3-year old was having a tired, hungry, not listening, crying tantrum just as dinner was served. The classic, “I don’t want that” and “I want something else.”

After a lot of crying, talking and trying to discuss what the options were.

The thing that did it and seemed to turn the tide (for now) was the offer of cereal for dinner.

Now usually we try to stick to everyone eating the same thing but tonight was a special case. It was like trying to defuse a bomb with garden hose. It was not going to work.

Just to bring you up to speed, dinner was a tasty pasta dish with broccoli and a side salad. Pasta is usually a hit. Anyways, not tonight.

So we offered bread, fruit and a few other things that I can’t even remember.

Please Work On Those Please And Thank You’s, Thank You

Ah manners, a lot of people have them and a lot of people don’t. So where does it all begin? Well, I would say, as a kid.

The sooner and mom and dad can teach their kids that saying please and thank you is the right thing to do, the sooner it will stick.

Pre school does their best to enforce it but really it has to come from home. If mom and dad don’t do it, why would a kid ever do it.

Our 3-year old is going through the learning of this. He gets what it means and understands that he should do it, but it is not always top of mind. I mean their brain has much more fun stuff going on. How can you remember to say thank you when you just got a new toy or your favourite food. Yes, it is hard.

He’s Got 99 Mood Swings, The Bath Fixed None

Tonight was my bath night with the 3-year old. Normally a joyour occasion full of soap, laughing and the occasional tub fart.

This night however was not one of those joyous ones.

Already a tired tantrum going on as the water ran, it took every trick in the dad toobox to get him in the bath on this night. Screaming, trying to talk while having no breath, snot, so much snot and I did not even have the soap out. It was a quick bath. Basically enough to justify even running the water.

Not even a warm towel hug helped out. No this was a mega tired tantrum. So what did I resort to in order to change the landscape of bedtime.

The Hand That Calmed The Cradle

Quiet day today at home after a morning out to check out a Christmas fair. Still feeling full after a giant brunch at the local Smitty’s. Can’t go wrong there.

What I wanted to touch on today was the power of a hand on a fussy baby. Our 3-year old was up in the night and we saw his light on. My wife got up to investigate and that left me with the baby sleeping in his side bed/cradle/bassinet. As soon as she left, there was maybe a second of peace before the baby started fussing and crying.

I lunged over like I jut heard a bomb go off and put my hand into the blind darkness. Once my hand was on the baby, he instantly stopped, breathing calmed and all was well with the world.

Problem was, it was 4am, I was stretched full out and my wife possibly was not coming back for awhile. I had the feeling that I was standing on one of those land minds that once you step on them, you can’t step off.

Catching You Up On The Story – Like A Dad

So, who is behind this new venture – Like A Dad? Why is it happening? Why does the world need yet another blog?

Well, the answer is me. My name is Michael and on the web I go by Cuzzy. I have been blogging and learning about online marketing etc. for over 6 years now. I certainly was not a natural and I did not think I would end up doing it. I was a TV guy through school and for the first several years after. I thought I would work in television forever. But life changes and you have to roll with it.

Of course with the subject of the blog, I am a dad. I have been a dad for over 3 years now and it is the best thing ever. I have two boys who keep me learning, laughing and tired all the time. But I would not trade it for anything.

I always pictured myself as a dad and could not be happier the way it has turned out.

In our house there is a happy 3 year old and a happy 2 month old. They will be the stars of this blog going forward. They provide the cute factor, the research, the laughs and most importantly the experiences that I get to share with you. I know there are thousands of other blogs out there doing the same thing, but whatever, everyone has a story to tell.