Jim Stevens in Men's Health Magazine had the following list in a recent article titled "10 Things Children Teach Their Fathers," but I think it probably applies equally to both parents.
1. It feels great to run and not worry about how fast or how far.
2. The only thing funnier than a fart joke is an actual fart. Bonus points if it's at the dinner table or in church (Editor's note, while I, personally, agree with this sentiment, my wife would strongly disapprove.)
3. Remember homework? Yeah, it sucks and kids have a lot more of it these days.
4. Compared with your kid, you were a moron at age 10. All that homework is paying off.
5. The only role models who have any actual impact are the ones at the dinner table.
6. Cookies taste better if you make them.
7. Dreams propel us forward. Even outlandish ones. Especially outlandish ones.
8. Genes are ridiculously powerful.
9. Your dad enjoyed wine for a good reason.
10. The world isn't screwed. Most kids are good. There are a lot of smart young people taking over our planet.
Again, enjoy the long weekend and go teach your kids something. You might learn a thing or two yourself.
Comin' Atcha Live from the Mid-South
My wife and I sneaked off to Memphis for a little break and to take in a concert from one of our favorite artists, Tupelo, Mississippi's own Mr. Paul Thorn. For those of you who don't know Paul Thorn, he is a singer-songwriter in the same vein as John Hiatt, John Prine, and Delbert McClinton and I believe his latest album was number one on the Americana charts earlier this year. This was about the sixth time Jill and I have seen him and he and the band never disappoint.
As an added bonus, when we got here we discovered that Steve Poltz was the opening act. My kids will be so jealous! Poltz wrote a song with his former band called "Hitchhiker Joe" that my kids love and sing all the time. (He also wrote a little song with some girl named Jewel you might have called "You Were Meant for Me," but my kids are way more impressed with "Hitchhiker Joe.")
At any rate, it's always nice to take a breather after a hectic week (I had about half a dozen evidentiary hearings in two states this week) and kick back with family and friends. I hope everyone else out there has a great Labor Day!
As an added bonus, when we got here we discovered that Steve Poltz was the opening act. My kids will be so jealous! Poltz wrote a song with his former band called "Hitchhiker Joe" that my kids love and sing all the time. (He also wrote a little song with some girl named Jewel you might have called "You Were Meant for Me," but my kids are way more impressed with "Hitchhiker Joe.")
At any rate, it's always nice to take a breather after a hectic week (I had about half a dozen evidentiary hearings in two states this week) and kick back with family and friends. I hope everyone else out there has a great Labor Day!
That's it! I want my pound of flesh!!!
It's over! He's come home smelling of another woman's perfume for the last time. You've found where she has been e-mailing risque' photos of herself to her new boyfriend. Whatever the reason, you have decided it's time to file for divorce and it's going to be a war. STOP.
Before you go off half-cocked and do anything out of revenge, spite, or just plain stupidity. Consider this article from the Orlando Sentinel on the "Dos and Don'ts of Divorce." A special thanks to the Kentucky Family Law Blawg for the reference to the article. Additionally, consider the article I have posted on my site here on pre-divorce planning.
Keeping your head and doing a little planning before the papers start flying can save you a great deal of heartache down the road.
Before you go off half-cocked and do anything out of revenge, spite, or just plain stupidity. Consider this article from the Orlando Sentinel on the "Dos and Don'ts of Divorce." A special thanks to the Kentucky Family Law Blawg for the reference to the article. Additionally, consider the article I have posted on my site here on pre-divorce planning.
Keeping your head and doing a little planning before the papers start flying can save you a great deal of heartache down the road.
First Federal Adoption Survey to Include Men
There were a few surprises in the first federal adoption survey to include men. The AP and Findlaw.com report that among them is the fact that men adopt more often than women; twice the rate of women as a matter of fact. The usual situation is where the child is the man's stepchild. Additionally, the survey found that the rate of unmarried women putting children up for adoption dropped by approximately eight percent since 1973. The full story can be found here.
The Thin Line of Twelve
I have been posting quite a bit about family law lately, but I also handle a number of criminal cases. It's ironic since my sister and most of her immediate family as well as my brother are in law enforcement or corrections. My wife even did a stint as a probation office case worker. Needless to say, but I will say it anyway, family reunions are . . . interesting (and not just for my witty repartee). Criminal defense attorneys and the jury system itself are often vilified. That's why I was pleased to see that September's Men's Health magazine named "A courtroom jury trial from the jury box" as one of its "15 Must-See Sights."
The article's discussion of jury service succinctly reminds us that our civic duty is a privilege in a country guided by the rule of law and a bulwark against oppression and injustice. Check it out and while your at it, do yourself a favor and add "Twelve Angry Men" to your Netflix cue (I'm talking about the moving Henry Fonda version not the made-for-tv remake involving Tony Danza. If you enjoy the acting talents of Mr. Danza, that is fine . . . just stop reading my blog.)
The article's discussion of jury service succinctly reminds us that our civic duty is a privilege in a country guided by the rule of law and a bulwark against oppression and injustice. Check it out and while your at it, do yourself a favor and add "Twelve Angry Men" to your Netflix cue (I'm talking about the moving Henry Fonda version not the made-for-tv remake involving Tony Danza. If you enjoy the acting talents of Mr. Danza, that is fine . . . just stop reading my blog.)
Back to School Blues
August in Western Kentucky marks the start of school. It's sad really, when I was a kid we never went back to school before September. As I type that, I realize how old those sort of statements make me sound.
At any rate, now is a time of a lot of changes in your child's life. New teachers, possibly a new school, new schedules, new extracurricular activities, etc. Whether you are the primary custodian of your child or not, chances are, if you live in Kentucky, you have joint legal custody. Therefore, you are entitled to all the same information as the custodial parent from the school. Most school districts now have very detailed websites chock-full of information like school calendars, special event announcements, teacher's names, and all kinds of other information about the facilities where your child will be spending a large portion of his/her life. If you have a child in McCracken County, our school district's website is located here.
Whether you are the primary custodian of the child or not, now is a good time to make the commitment to taking an active roll in your child's life. Here are some tips and ideas for strengthening your bond with your child:
At any rate, now is a time of a lot of changes in your child's life. New teachers, possibly a new school, new schedules, new extracurricular activities, etc. Whether you are the primary custodian of your child or not, chances are, if you live in Kentucky, you have joint legal custody. Therefore, you are entitled to all the same information as the custodial parent from the school. Most school districts now have very detailed websites chock-full of information like school calendars, special event announcements, teacher's names, and all kinds of other information about the facilities where your child will be spending a large portion of his/her life. If you have a child in McCracken County, our school district's website is located here.
Whether you are the primary custodian of the child or not, now is a good time to make the commitment to taking an active roll in your child's life. Here are some tips and ideas for strengthening your bond with your child:
- Make plans to go to back to school night and get to know your child's teacher. Talk to the teacher about any subjects you or she believes your child struggles with. Work with the teacher on creative ways to help your child. If your is not having any problems, plan a reward of some sort for the good report.
- If your work schedule permits, you might volunteer to be a homeroom parent or let the teacher know you would be available to come and speak for career day.
- If your child's school allows it, make the commitment to eating lunch with him at least once per month (FYI, although most schools will let you buy a lunch in the cafeteria, I don't recommend it. School food has not gotten any better since we were kids).
- Get a copy of the schedule for the sport, band, or whatever activity your child is involved with and be at either the practices or the games whether it is "your time" or not. If it is held at a public place and you are not causing a disruption or otherwise violating the law or court order, the other parent cannot prevent you from being there. You might even consider volunteering to be a coach.
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