Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, Columnist

Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE is a Professor of Human Development at California State University, Monterey Bay and is a Certified Family Life Educator. He and his wife are parents to a chatty 5-year-old daughter and reside in Marina. Rob’s monthly column “Father’s Day” has been recognized with bronze, silver, and gold awards from the Parenting Media Association.

Articles by Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch

Winter 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...

Holidays, 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...

Parents 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...

The 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...

Helping 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.

Taking 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.

Talking 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.

The 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.

The 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.

Volunteering is Good For Families

Research supports that volunteering has direct benefits, such as improved well-being, health, and self-esteem.

How 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.

Five 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.

Kids, 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.

In Praise of Dads

Research is consistent that dads impact kids and families differently than moms. But fatherhood also benefits dads!

Parents in Waiting

Time waiting for kids is well spent. Kids recognize your presence and reap the benefits of parental involvement.

Liar, 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.

Include 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.

Shaping 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!

Thinking 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.

Gratitude: 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.

Love 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...

Helping 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.

Wake 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.

Celebrating 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.

Celebrating 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.

Captive 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!

First 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.

A 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.

Focus 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.

Wintery 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.

Creating 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

Hands-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.

Kids 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

What 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?

Five 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.

Birds 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.

Looking 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.

The Dad Bod in the New Year

Turn your “dad bod” into a “rad bod” with these fitness tips from our “Father’s Day” columnist.

Democracy 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.

Adulting 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.

Racial 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.

Fathering 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.

Developing 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.

Father’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.

Give ‘em another hug!

Our Father’s Day columnist Rob Weisskirch discusses why it’s so important to show affection to our children.

Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude

Our Father’s Day columnist discusses why cultivating gratitude in ourselves and in our children increases happiness.

Talking 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.

Father’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.

Toxic 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.

Dad 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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