I Peed On My Kid!

It's good to know that reality and fantasy aren't ...

2010-06-21T22:16:16.116-07:00

It's good to know that reality and fantasy aren't that far apart some times. You've been to the Staples Center (Ringling Brothers Circus); you probably watched game 7, albeit on TV (but rooted for the losers); you've seen Harrison Ford (in The Fugitive); and recently flew in a jet (crammed into coach seating).

So...

You are living the dream, Rick Suvalle. It just needs a slight rewrite (at scale +10% if we're lucky).

And you're a great Father. With mild heartburn.

Thanks for the kind words PartlySunny. My grandfat...

2010-06-17T13:36:00.711-07:00

Thanks for the kind words PartlySunny. My grandfather was there for the surrender as well. I'll be paying homage to the ship in November with my girls and my father. Good excuse for a trip to Hawaii. :)

Okay, I came here from parentsask.com (I write the...

2010-06-17T10:09:57.291-07:00

Okay, I came here from parentsask.com (I write there, too), expecting to laugh some more, and now I'm sitting here crying. Thanks a lot:).

My grandfather was on the Missouri as well -- for the surrender. He was a journalist. Died about 40 years ago, probably from cancer due to radiation poisoning after watching the first nuclear test off Bikini Atoll. Anyway, sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like he made you into a better man.

Wonderful post Rick. We will all miss him terribl...

2010-06-17T07:28:33.659-07:00

Wonderful post Rick. We will all miss him terribly.

glad to hear of the hugging factor, too. to now pa...

2010-06-13T10:21:16.171-07:00

glad to hear of the hugging factor, too. to now pass that along to future generations, might lessen the general social fears of closeness regarding us humans in general. every generation learns from and should be better than the previous on numerous fronts. and oops, correction, my grandad passed at 82.

Wow, Rick. Talk about planning... jeez. Your Grand...

2010-06-13T09:45:29.595-07:00

Wow, Rick. Talk about planning... jeez. Your Grandpa had style (and balls) in the eyes of the inevitable! I love it. Something to learn from... and well written.

I remember being the last one to hold my grandfather's hand when he died at age 92 as well. He squeezed it twice... and then seconds later the machines all went berserk, redlining... and then left.

rick - that was beautifully written. your grandfa...

2010-06-10T19:04:09.818-07:00

rick - that was beautifully written. your grandfather sounds like he was a remarkable man. my condolences to you and your family. i'm so happy you have wonderful memories of your time with him

Just beautiful, Rick. And it reminds me so much o...

2010-06-10T16:58:11.048-07:00

Just beautiful, Rick. And it reminds me so much of the thoughts that my son Nicholas shared at the memorial for his grandfather - my father - and Ben and Sam's great-grandfather - at his memorial almost 1 year ago - June 13th, 2009. And he was 93. The same wonderful generation.
Please send my condolences to your mom and dad and the rest of the family.
Norma

I read one of Adele Faber's books in my Early Chil...

2010-04-26T19:32:22.367-07:00

I read one of Adele Faber's books in my Early Childhood Ed classes. Might be something to look into. I don't envy the jealousy thing at all. My sister & I fought until we were in middle school. Then we learned how to cut each other down with words when we wanted to hurt one another. Good luck!

I will still bring food for my 2.5 year old if we ...

2010-04-20T14:20:29.764-07:00

I will still bring food for my 2.5 year old if we want to eat at a restaurant where she won't eat anything. Otherwise we could never have Indian food or sushi again. I figure most restaurants would rather have the business of two adults and skip the kid's meal rather than not get our business at all. I do order her food at restaurants that have stuff she'll eat, but then again she will finish her macaroni and cheese and a side of broccoli, so I don't feel like I've wasted my money.

I wonder what that snooty waitress would have said if I had tried to breastfeed my newborn at that restaurant. Does that count as an outside beverage?

I know you've written about this au contrare, but ...

2010-04-19T19:39:13.521-07:00

I know you've written about this au contrare, but your grownup restaurant frequenting may become as frequent as a babysitter. Some places may be more accommodating by allowing a half portion or a shared plate fee with a parent. But in all honesty, my family restaurant nights are limited to pizza joints, mexican and chinese food. For my kid who is the "two bites and I'm done" one, I get side orders of his faves. A side of cavitappi at Carrabbas. Sides of rice and beans at any mex place. And I always offer them a taste of my meal so they can start to learn their own tastes. About the only easy parenting "thing" I have is that at any given time, I have one kid who is willing to try just about anything without a bribe. Kudos... I was not so easy!

What's the name of that restaurant so I can NEVER ...

2010-04-19T07:16:55.540-07:00

What's the name of that restaurant so I can NEVER go there?
I've been ordering for Tulsa for almost a year now ,usually pasta or chicken or a side order and taking the rest home for her to eat later (hopefully). I have to say that it has made her a more adventurous eater, Indian food and sushi are now one of her requests.

Faber = Ferber? Any remote connection?...shudder.....

2010-04-14T10:39:31.460-07:00

Faber = Ferber? Any remote connection?...shudder... :-)

"Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Kids L...

2010-04-12T19:57:33.644-07:00

"Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Kids Live Together, So You Can Live Too," by Adele Faber is one of the most significant, if not THE most, parenting book I have read. My boys are like those two dorks in Sixteen Candles who can't be separated, but they do have their moments. That book gave me endless non-intuitive skills on how to get through it.

Get down! Love this. And ... 'what about THAT gu...

2010-04-08T06:26:14.696-07:00

Get down! Love this. And ... 'what about THAT guy' who tiptoed into the action... ?

I do find that most people who hate Dr. Ferber's m...

2010-03-30T21:45:33.341-07:00

I do find that most people who hate Dr. Ferber's methods have not read the book nor done the very basic research to find out what it's really all about. Enter visions of babies crying for 36 out of 24 hours, puking in bed on a regular basis, etc.

I wonder if the AAP recommended practice known as "tummy time" would be considered wrong/abusive if it were re-labeled something like "lay it out", with images of leaving babies laying around on the floor until they started crawling. The concepts have many parallels; give a child opportunities to learn a little earlier some skills which will probably eventually come naturally anyway.

I love my son; what I've learned from reading Dr. Ferber's book has certainly improved his life in the 5 days I've been using it, not to mention helping me and my wife be more patient, energetic, and engaged parents!

It isn't for everyone, but it's helpful. We don't throw out penicilin because some people are allergic to it, now do we?

She is too cool.

2010-03-17T07:41:30.124-07:00

She is too cool.

Okay- Laughed good and hard at this one- Good job!...

2010-03-01T15:30:14.986-08:00

Okay- Laughed good and hard at this one- Good job!!

The tub!!!! Julia is Constantly trying to jump in...

2010-02-19T11:52:04.335-08:00

The tub!!!! Julia is Constantly trying to jump in with the big kids ...... You are multi-tasking, Rick- You're doing it !!!

I'm surprised you didn't post the photo of the gre...

2010-02-15T07:42:15.963-08:00

I'm surprised you didn't post the photo of the green plastic chair. (I actually went looking for it in my old files). I still smile when you first sent out that joke. - Nice of you to recycle it for everyone else.

Your daughters are absolutely adorable! Just wait ...

2010-01-29T00:07:30.792-08:00

Your daughters are absolutely adorable! Just wait until Alex gets steady on her feet. You'll be struggling to keep up with her! :)

the essence of being a parent - it feels good.

2010-01-22T13:54:22.305-08:00

the essence of being a parent - it feels good.

Oh my god I am crying...love this.

2010-01-22T13:49:32.084-08:00

Oh my god I am crying...love this.

Such a good dad. I love the before/after pics lol

2010-01-18T09:28:34.491-08:00

Such a good dad. I love the before/after pics lol

Nice piece keep being a good dad.

2010-01-13T12:11:15.986-08:00

Nice piece keep being a good dad.