Dad's House

Single Parent Dating
& Parenting Teens


A Band for All Ages

Posted on February 4th, 2010 | 14 comments

Last week, the director of my thirteen-year-old son’s middle school band had them play with the local high school band. Fun stuff, and a chance for the younger kids to hear what it’s like to play with better musicians. But why stop there?
Last night, they played with a local adult community band.
We’re talking the whole [...]

It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA

Posted on January 12th, 2010 | 19 comments

I caught flack for my post about my teen son wanting to join the YMCA, and me not being supportive. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not against him working out. I don’t insist his interests are in line with mine. I don’t fear he’ll get man boobs as an old man if he stops [...]

ABC News Interview – When Moms Flip Out

Posted on December 11th, 2009 | 25 comments

When Parents Flip Out – you know that moment when your kids drive you to the absolute brink, and you go ballistic shouting at them to correct whatever is wrong? Clean up your mess! Put your shoes away! Get your homework done! Quit fighting! etc.
Not every parent flips out like that. I happen to be [...]

It’s Snowing!

Posted on December 10th, 2009 | 28 comments

The other morning I went into my teen daughter’s room at 6am, a human alarm clock waking her up for school. Only this day was  different, special.
“It’s snowing,” I said.
What a magical thing for a parent to say to their kid! A snow day meant sledding and snow angels, snowball fights and snow men. And [...]

Mean Kids, Nice Kids

Posted on November 16th, 2009 | 16 comments

My 17-year-old daughter is an angel! So are her friends!! They are super nice kids!
Or so we’ve always thought.
Now her brother and I are wondering if she’s a little devil, and we’ve been sheltering one of the mean kids all these years.
My son was recently cleaning out his closet (not voluntarily; I made him do [...]

How to Get Your Teens to the Dinner Table

Posted on November 13th, 2009 | 15 comments

How do you get teenagers to the dinner table?
Sure, they’re hungry all the time. But that doesn’t mean they want to eat with dad or mom or siblings. After all, they have distractions – sports, friends, Facebook, iPod, video games, etc.
Some food gurus will have you believe the way to get teens to the dinner [...]

Cell Phone in the Dryer

Posted on November 12th, 2009 | 19 comments

My son’s cell phone went through the laundry.
There, I said it. And no, it’s not easier to say simply because it happened at his mom’s house. What happened could have happened at my place or anywhere.
You see, his sister did the laundry, and she doesn’t normally do that chore. She dumped things in the washer [...]