Around 6:20 tomorrow morning, I will be walking up my street (literally up, it’s a hill), where, at the top, I shall catch the school bus to my first day of school.  With this, my high school years will begin, and yet another chapter of my life ends.  But, with these four years of high school up and coming, I am beginning some new things that look like tons of fun, and am preparing for the four years of life some people consider the best.

• First of all, I have gotten involved in a new-to-me sport that is loads of …
  
  

As far back as I can remember, every year I went somewhere on a vacation with my grandparents.  I have always felt that I am exponentially lucky to have grandparents who are willing to take me on such vacations every year out of their own will and pocket.  I did not know that this is a trend becoming more and more popular, but now that I know this, I am going to provide my thoughts on it.

First of all, I am going to provide a little history on my vacationing with grandparents, as this will tie into a few…

In honor of Independence Day this weekend, I thought I’d post about another kind of independence. Children start exerting their independence at an early age, and continue to push the boundaries until they leave the nest.

There are so many landmarks along the road to independence, and it is important to keep our children moving along the path at an appropriate pace. For some, that may mean pushing your child forward against their resistance. But for most of us, it is a matter of holding them back just enough so that their ability can keep pace with their ever-increasing independence.

Both…

At the end of every school year, kids begin to get bored and feel that the school year is almost over, so why keep trying.  This is known as senioritis and is a major problem, as this can make or break a school year.  Here are some anti-senioritis strategies, both for parents and the kids:

• Parents, remind the child that although the year is almost up, there is still a lot that could go wrong.  If he has positive pressure, he may keep working hard and not fold.  He needs to realize that the end of the year is close,…
  
  

When Mom’s away, Dad will have to do. Here’s a salute to all the single parents out there. I don’t know how you get anything done. My lovely wife is away for a week. “No problem,” I told her. I can handle everything.

Now, this is real life, not a TV sitcom. I’m a pretty capable parent. I know when they go to bed. I haven’t burned a hole in my shirt or turned the laundry pink or lost control of the house. I know what the big one needs in his backpack for school and what the little one…