Reflections from Dad 2.0
Every generation of parents tries to do a little better than the last, and dads are no exception. This month, as we celebrate Father’s Day,...
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Articles by Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch
The Superheroes of Motherhood
It is time to order those flowers, make brunch reservations, and have kids make cards for the mothers on Mother’s Day. As a dad, my...
Read ArticleThe Joy of Watching Your Child Shine
It is hard to describe the feeling of pride you can feel as a parent. Pride emerges as a broad, toothy grin, and other times,...
Read ArticleThe Power of Summer Camp
As rains and chilly winds blow, it seems odd to begin looking at summer camps. But now is when information gets released online and the...
Read ArticleThe Tucking In
There may be fewer bedtime rituals as our children get older but it’s still an important part of your child’s day. It can be a...
Read ArticlePledges for the New Year
January always puts me in a reflective mood, thinking about what is to come in the new year. Like many parents, I easily get caught...
Read ArticleWinter Coat Negotiations
Clouds linger longer, darkness descends sooner, and breaths hang in chilly air. Autumnal weather slides into winter and negotiations begin. Part-business deal, part-parenting comes the...
Read ArticleHolidays, Relatives, Kids, & Lots of Pickles,
With the cool fall weather, the travel season begins. Snacks are packed, weather forecasts checked, and toys and tablets are at the ready. Whether by...
Read ArticleParents Have Messy Cars!
When my daughter was three, I bought a new car to take advantage of safety features, better gas mileage, and integrated GPS. I vowed to...
Read ArticleThe Museum of Child Art
As you enter, the wood floors creak underneath your feet and your immersive art experience begins. Looking around, you notice the range of art pieces...
Read ArticleHelping Your Child With Educational Transitions
For many kids, the new school year can bring a mixture of feelings. There are no easy solutions for alleviating the anxiety other than having lots of conversations of reassurance with your kid that they know what to do, how to navigate their school, and how to interact with others.
Read ArticleTaking Center Stage: Performance Anxiety & Kids
Many children deal with stage fright including the author’s daughter. Here is his advice on helping children develop coping skills.
Read ArticleTalking Careers With Your Child
Our Father’s Day columnist discusses why discussing career possibilities is so important and how to encourage your child’s career dreams.
Read ArticleThe Importance of Grandparents
Our Father’s Day columnist, Rob Weisskirch reflects on the benefits of grandparents as he prepares to say goodbye to his grandmother.
Read ArticleThe December Dilemma for Jewish Parents
It’s an age-old question for Jewish families: how much exposure to Christmas activities should we allow or encourage for our children? Christmas-related activities abound, and as parents, we have to make tough decisions on how much to compromise.
Read ArticleVolunteering is Good For Families
Research supports that volunteering has direct benefits, such as improved well-being, health, and self-esteem.
Read ArticleHow Music Can Clue Parents in on a Child’s Emerging Identity
One thing I always point to as an early sign of identity development is when kids become “musically aware” (my term)–when kids start listening to their own choice of music and want to control the music that is heard in the car and at home.
Read ArticleFive Things I’ve Learned in Raising a Ten-Year-Old
Recently, my daughter turned 10, putting her into the double digits and moving her into the second decade of life. But, reflecting, I have learned a few things in raising a kid to 10 that can help others.
Read ArticleKids, Friendship, and Goals
One of the most important tasks of childhood is navigating friendship. Our columnist shares how his daughter is learning to see her part in the conflict and look for ways to improve.
Read ArticleIn Praise of Dads
Research is consistent that dads impact kids and families differently than moms. But fatherhood also benefits dads!
Read ArticleParents in Waiting
Time waiting for kids is well spent. Kids recognize your presence and reap the benefits of parental involvement.
Read ArticleLiar, Liar, Pants on Fire: Why kids lie and strategies for dealing with it
Lying among young children, even among toddlers, may be a sign of advancing cognitive development. Children have to learn from interactions with others that outward facial expressions and communication may not match the thoughts.
Read ArticleInclude Your Children in Valentine’s Day
I buy something for my daughter. A 2016 Today poll of 1500 people indicated that 85% of parents buy something for their children for Valentine’s Day.
Read ArticleShaping a Generation
Experiences like a pandemic, constant technology, and more diverse communities will shape today’s children as they mature. Parents can have a positive impact!
Read ArticleThinking About Rituals
Research supports the idea that a ritual and being together as a family increase individual enjoyment and cohesion. Even for teens, family rituals are related to greater social connectedness and alleviating depression.
Read ArticleGratitude: More than Words
A sense of gratitude has been associated with greater life satisfaction, better health, happiness, optimism, and satisfaction with social relationships, among other positive outcomes.
Read ArticleLove Languages and Being a Dad
Yesterday, I got a note from my daughter in my lunch bag, “Dad, have a good day! Love, Sloan.” Admittedly, it brought a smile to...
Read ArticleHelping Kids Navigate the Complexities of Friendship
If I want to know what is happening in my daughter’s life, now and in the future, I need to know about the drama, support her in figuring out who is not a friend, and help her understand more about how to be a good friend.
Read ArticleWake Up Sleepyhead! Back to school means back to morning routines.
Good-bye, slower pace of summer, and hello to school bells and taking attendance! Welcome back to tightly scheduled mornings with the goal of getting kids to school on time and with the necessary supplies.
Read ArticleCelebrating all kinds of courageous fathers
There are many dads out there who face challenges in raising children, and there are some courageous men out there who especially deserve recognition on this Father’s Day.
Read ArticleCelebrating the wonder that is mom’s purse
It is in this month that we celebrate Mother’s Day and show our appreciation for mothers and everything they do. But, as a dad, I also want to take a moment to recognize the wonderment that is the Mom Purse.
Read ArticleCaptive Car Conversations
It can be hard to find time to catch up with our kids. The time we spend chauffeuring them around offers the perfect opportunity!
Read ArticleFirst Time Camper: Off to camp she went!
Late last summer, we decided to send our daughter to sleepaway camp. It was a decision that we made with some trepidation.
Read ArticleA Month of Love with our Father’s Day Columnist
Valentine’s day has become more than just demonstrating your love, affection, and appreciation for your romantic partner. As a dad, I also acknowledge my love and appreciation for my daughter as one of my valentines.
Read ArticleFocus on Fatherhood for 2022
Involvement is being there and interacting with your children. Consistency is about how you behave and interact with your kids. Awareness is knowing about your children. Nurturance is expressing your affection with your child physically & verbally.
Read ArticleWintery Weather? Time for Card Games
Kids can learn a lot from playing games with adults. Break out the Spoons, 21/Blackjack, Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Old Maid, or Uno for a fun multi-generational activity.
Read ArticleCreating a Council of Dads for My Daughter
Research is pretty consistent that children fare better when they recognize an adult network of support in their lives. I have been fortunate to have had other father figures and my father to create a system of support and understanding, and I hope t
Read ArticleHands-On Science Fun in San Francisco
My family and I had the opportunity to visit the Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco with the goal of exploring and then reporting back to the readers of Monterey Bay Parent.
Read ArticleKids and Eating: Picnics, Barbecues, and Summer Fruit
Dads also play a part in the development of food habits. In one study of fathers of preschoolers, more than half said that they were equally responsible for organizing the meals and deciding on the quality and quantity of foods consumed by their kids
Read ArticleWhat Dad Stuff Are You Teaching?
There are certain things that kids should be taught and learning these skills leads to confidence and self-sufficiency. What is on the list to teach your children?
Read ArticleFive things I learned from my mother … about being a father
There are times when I am talking to my daughter, hearing the words from my mouth, and I realize that I sound like my mother. My parenting is deeply rooted in how I was parented and particularly by my mother.
Read ArticleBirds and Bees, Everywhere: Starting the Discussions about Sex
Spring has arrived. The weather is warmer, and the flowers are blossoming. The birds and bees are out and in our house too. Yup, we are talking about babies and reproduction, and I am terrified.
Read ArticleLooking at the Pandemic as a “Found Year” With My Daughter
When I see news or social media posts about how coping with Covid-19 and dealing with remote learning has become a “lost year” for kids, it makes me cringe. Framing this past year in negative terms makes our children absorb that sentiment.
Read ArticleThe Dad Bod in the New Year
Turn your “dad bod” into a “rad bod” with these fitness tips from our “Father’s Day” columnist.
Read ArticleDemocracy at Home and Being Thankful
Although notions of “government” are often abstract ideas for young children to understand, they understand little fragments of how democracy gets enacted in the household.
Read ArticleAdulting 101: Get your finances in order!
Some of you may think that making a will is somehow morbid – thinking about what will happen when you die or an advanced directive of what wishes you have if you become medically incapacitated. It isn’t.
Read ArticleRacial Bias: Starting the Conversation With Our Kids
Research has found that children can start showing racial bias as young as the age of four and that the best thing to do is to be open when discussing race. When questions arise, they should be addressed directly.
Read ArticleFathering in Times of Uncertainty
I know I should have some positive, upbeat way to describe the last few weeks of dealing with COVID-19, social distancing, and shelter in place, but I don’t. It has sucked.
Read ArticleDeveloping Your Identity as a Father
Experts have found that once men become fathers, they make significant life changes in their relationships with their partners, their families, in their leisure activities, their work-life, and interests, and values.
Read ArticleFather’s Day: My Dad Resolutions for 2020
As a new year begins, I start thinking about resolutions. Making concerted efforts to achieve self-improvement goals appeals to me. I believe there are ways to improve as a dad, and here are some ideas for dad’s resolutions for 2020.
Read ArticleGive ‘em another hug!
Our Father’s Day columnist Rob Weisskirch discusses why it’s so important to show affection to our children.
Read ArticleCultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Our Father’s Day columnist discusses why cultivating gratitude in ourselves and in our children increases happiness.
Read ArticleTalking to Children About Death
Experts recommend answering children’s questions about death directly and age-appropriately. They say to avoid euphemisms like “passed away” or, in the case of a pet, “put to sleep” for young children because those expressions confuse them.
Read ArticleFather’s Day: A Father’s Role in Protecting His Family
As a dad, I feel that my role is “protector” by keeping my kid safe in all ways. At the same time, I don’t want to give in to my fears and make my daughter think and feel that where we live and where we go are not safe places.
Read ArticleToxic Masculinity–NO MORE: Raising Psychologically Healthy Boys
Toxic masculinity is a pattern of thinking and parenting of boys where the focus is on achievement, adventure and risk, and strength and self-reliance as well as violence, anti-femininity, and avoidance of perceptions of weakness.
Read ArticleDad Sets the Example On Valentine’s Day
Generally, kids who have positive, supportive, relationships with parents are more likely to have greater intimacy and relationship satisfaction with romantic partners later on.
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