Bartman did not break my Chicago Cubs fan heart in 2003 – it was already broken. I could blame Steve Garvey in 1984 or Will Clark in 1989. You see, I was sucked into the Cubs-fan-misery at birth. My dad grew up on the south side of Chicago but elected to root for the lovable … [Read more…]
Tonight I plan to stay up way too late to watch the opening of another National Football League season. My older boys will beg to watch with me. I’ll compromise their bedtime – allowing them to watch until halftime when they’ll vow to go to bed with no complaining. It’s become a tradition in my … [Read more…]
When I heard the news that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem in an NFL preseason game on Friday night, I was immediately angry. As I watched with my kids, I called him an idiot, unpatriotic and a poor example. As true as those labels might be, as … [Read more…]
Whether it be open houses, pre-school year meet-and-greets or a P.T.A meeting, opportunities are plentiful for us parents to be as active as we wish to be at school. For me, trying to get to everything for multiple kids can be a part-time job – one that I keenly enjoy. My kid-centric, hyper-focus has me … [Read more…]
The story of Simone Biles should have reignited an open discussion about the gift of adoption. Biles was adopted by her biological grandparents. Her story, like that of so many adoptive families, is one of triumph though struggle – of meager beginnings and extraordinary accomplishments. Over the past few days, though, the shine of the … [Read more…]
Reading about Pete Rose’s jersey being retired by the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend had my Good-Bad Dad senses firing. I was pleased for the baseball legend to be recognized for a great career. At the same time, though, I was uncomfortable fully applauding his accomplishments. I was a baseball-loving 11 year-old when Pete Rose … [Read more…]
As Muhammad Ali is laid to rest this week, the tributes will come frequently by those close to him. I can imagine that there will be many common threads about the champion in the ring – his flashy style, his intensity and the epic battles he won. Ali will be eulogized for his character outside … [Read more…]
When handheld devices blurred the lines between work and home, there was a backlash that ignited a conversation about the importance of “work-life” balance. I see the infancy (pun-intended) of a similar movement for parenting balance as I shuttle my children from activity to activity. The basic concepts are the same. Just as it rings … [Read more…]
Polarizing Major League baseball player Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals is on a mission to bring fun back into the game he calls “tired.” As with most articles I read, I immediately find parallels to my Good-Bad Dad life. I love baseball but this is not a piece about the great American past time … [Read more…]
The Adam LaRoche versus the Chicago White Sox saga has me conflicted. I agree that the owner of the team should make the rules. Managing by exception is not a good way to run a high performing team in any context. All that said, I’m frustrated that there is an assumption that being a great … [Read more…]