A new weekly segment in this space could simply be transcriptions of conversations with my son Beckett, 15.In the moment, they can be irritating. After a few minutes and the benefit of hindsigh...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2024/02/01/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-feb-2/
There was a time when I thought something was the matter with my kids if they were quiet.In my household it’s a bit unique with our two teenage sons. We have one son, Carson, 14, who is nonverb...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2024/01/25/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-january-26-2024/
It’s important for teenagers to understand the concept of their own mortality.It occurs to me we all in different stages of our lives think we are invincible or at a minimum assume we are immun...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2024/01/18/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-january-19-2024/
I literally fell asleep during a late-night talk with my teenager the other night.I have done this once or twice to Pam over the years during a conversation. When it has happened, it understandab...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2024/01/11/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-january-12-2024/
The short holiday week won this week, and I can’t seem to get my thoughts together for this space. Therefore, here’s an older column from January 2021 of some experiences with my sons, who ar...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2024/01/04/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-january-5-2024/
About 12 years ago, our neighbor organized a kickball game on Christmas Day afternoon. Ever since, aside from the pandemic, a group of us have burned off some Christmas energy together with laugh...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/12/28/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-december-29-2023/
The holiday buildup combined with the typical workload got the best of me this week. Therefore, I’m cheating a bit this week and looking back at some past Christmas reflections in this space. F...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/12/21/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-december-22-2023/
It’s interesting how we change through our lives.I think individual experiences have a way of molding us as we make our way through life. My perspective on everything today is much different th...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/12/14/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-december-15-2023/
On the drive to school yesterday, Carson and I saw a group of teens in shorts and T-shirts waiting for their buses. It was 26 degrees, and I initially thought the frost on my windshield was messi...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/12/07/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-december-8-2023/
When it comes to special needs students, inclusion is an important concept.As a father to a special needs eighth grade student in the local public school system, inclusion is forefront in my mind...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/11/30/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-december-1-2023/
Around our house, having a birthday the week after Halloween is similar to a post-Christmas birthday.It’s a good thing Carson abhors a fuss because his birthday falls on Nov. 5. Due to Hallowee...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/11/23/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-november-24-2023/
Processing something significant can be challenging for all of us.For a teenager like Beckett, who was adopted at birth by us in Pennsylvania, last Saturday was a milestone moment in his life. He...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/11/16/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-november-17-2023/
The first hour home after school for both my boys looks similar.It’s straight to his room for Carson, who wants some electronics time as soon as he gets home. If he has a good day at school, we...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/11/09/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-november-10-2023/
Watching my kids interact and have fun is a highlight of my life.I appreciate the insignificant, mundane daily moments, such as Beckett teasing his brother about not ever wanting to brush his hai...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/11/02/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-november-3-2023/
At some point years from now, the boys will be given all these columns as I am keeping binders for them.I happen to be flipping through some of them the other day updating the binders. As I was f...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/10/26/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-october-27-2023/
I am back to reading about raising teen boys far too often.During an unpleasant rant after soccer practice this week about a range of things, none of which included soccer or even school, I could...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/10/19/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-october-20-2023/
It has been a heavy couple weeks for Beckett.Ever since he was born 15 years ago in West Chester, Pa., Beckett has known he was adopted. Pam and I agreed early on there would be no secrets. He wo...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/10/12/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-october-13-2023/
“What a weekend. I miss it already.”This was what Beckett, 15, said Monday morning. Considering he didn’t get home until midnight from the last day of the Oceans Calling Festival, I figured...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/10/05/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-october-6-2023/
Less is more.This is an approach I have taken of late with 15-year-old Beckett.There was a time when our teenager didn’t share much with us. I would say now he shares a lot, but it’s more lik...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/09/28/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-september-29-2023/
A list of recent random things that have surprised me in varying degrees about raising teens. The Appetite: We are clearly at the point where neither Beckett, 15, nor Carson, 13, are ever full. T...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/09/21/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-september-22-2023/
Inspiration comes in waves and twice this week two local residents contacted me out of the blue to tell me their adoption stories.I do not want to violate their privacy so best not to share their...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/09/14/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-september-15-2023/
First days of school provide opportunities every year to take stock of family life.In my household, a lot has changed in one year.At this time last year, Pam and I were adjusting to a new world w...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/09/07/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-september-8-2023/
Gone evidently are the days when there is excitement in the house about heading back to school.Some examples: Last weekend, I asked Beckett, 15, if he was looking forward to school. The conversat...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/08/31/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-september-1-2023/
There are many special events held in Ocean City each year, but the most meaningful to me is Surfers Healing. Surfers Healing is a traveling surf camp that offers children and teens with disabili...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/08/24/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-august-25-2023/
(The following is an open letter from 2016 to everyone involved with Surfers Healing in Ocean City. The writer is on vacation this week for this event.) Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough....
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/08/17/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-august-18-2023/
Is it micromanaging to scrutinize your teen’s friends?Over the years, Beckett, 15, has opined we “grill” new friends when they come around. He maintains we may scare them off, calling us ov...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/08/10/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-august-11-2023/
Becoming a father to a special needs kid changed me forever.This was part of a recent conversation I had with one of my best friends. A true friend is someone who you may not see or talk with oft...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/08/03/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-august-4-2023/
A guilty pleasure of mine continues to be reading the website, raisingteenstoday.com. This fun little nugget popped up this week.It was a listing, titled Things No One Tells You About Raising Tee...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/07/27/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-july-28-2023/
That was a big deal.My thought as I drove off from Worcester Technical School Monday morning. I may have even said it aloud to myself.After hearing great things about it, Pam researched over the ...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/07/20/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-july-21-2023/
(Editor’s Note: The following column was a reprint from this week 10 years ago.)Watching sports with my kids is always an entertaining experience.Beckett, 5, actually gets quite excited watchin...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/07/13/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-july-14-2023/
A sense of humor is a must for raising kids. Laughing through some of the trials and tribulations helps the journey. Some examples to illustrate the point: Beckett, 15, and a buddy went to play s...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/07/06/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-july-7-2023/
It’s been interesting in recent years to see how mental health has come to the forefront. It’s a great thing.I think about my kids’ psyche, confidence, happiness and wellness too much proba...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/06/29/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-june-30-2023/
Earlier this month, and here’s your sappy column alert, Beckett finished ninth grade and Carson put a wrap on seventh grade. I needed a couple weeks to process it, as time seems to be flying ...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/06/22/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-june-23-2023/
I was especially crushed this week on the work front and admit I am taking the easy route this week in this space by sharing another viewpoint.With the thought school wrapping up for most Tuesday...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/06/15/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-june-16-2023/
There’s nothing quite like observing my wife watch my son at work in a restaurant.I find her anxiety and observations funny, but I don’t think Beckett, 15, feels the same way.Beckett will be ...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/06/08/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-june-9-2023/
As far as graduation speeches go, I think I have heard about 100 of them in my life. Though I didn’t see this particular one in person, I wanted to share a speech from last year.A 24-year-old w...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/06/01/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-june-2-2023/
“Hey, can I have a BBQ sandwich for dinner?”It was a text from my son Beckett, 15, at 6:50 p.m. last Thursday. This is a normal text to get at night in our house. Family dinners together thes...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/05/25/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-may-26-2023/
Mother’s Day was last weekend.I am blessed to have been raised by a wonderful, caring mother, and my sons – 15 and 13 years old, respectively — are beyond fortunate to have Pam as their mom...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/05/18/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-may-19-2023/
An interview with long-time local business owners Danny and Mary Moore this week resulted in more personal parental reflections than usual for me.At one point, Mary Moore spoke of the pride she a...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/05/11/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-may-12-2023/
Tuesday was evidently National Teacher Appreciation Day.I am not a teacher, but I have long thought about getting into education at some point in my life. I think my older son Beckett would be an...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/05/04/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-may-5-2023/
As Autism Awareness Month wraps up, some more random thoughts to share on the topic.We live with Autism every day in our house. Our son Carson, 13, is our tour guide on this unexpected journey, a...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/04/27/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-april-28-2023/
Like most folks, my life involves a lot of juggling.The goal is balance between family, work, professional responsibilities, physical health and spiritual wellness. Some days are don’t accompli...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/04/20/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-april-21-2023/
Though I enjoy all of Berlin’s special events, last week’s Spring Celebration made me a bit sad personally.Easter is a special family weekend. For us, over the years as my kids have grown the...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/04/13/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-april-14-2023/
On World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 in a previous year, my wife posted on Facebook, “Autism is a journey we never planned, but we sure do love our tour guide.” Her words hit the mark.The...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/04/06/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-april-7-2023/
Parenting teens brings out the best and worst of me.In some ways, I feel like I am going through puberty all over again with my son, Beckett, who turns 15 in May. He’s a great kid with a huge h...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/30/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-march-31-2023/
It was 3:15 in the morning when Pam woke me up questioning a beeping sound.We happened to be in a rental house on vacation in Vermont for a ski trip. Therefore, it was much more of an unknown tha...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/23/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-march-24-2023/
(Editor’s Note: The following is a reprint from March 18, 2011.)Elephants scare the daylights out of Beckett, and we have no idea why.This fear surfaced when Beckett, 2, was a baby and does not...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/16/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-march-17-2023/
The daily memories are my favorite part of Facebook these days.These memories pop up each day and some cause me to stop for a few minutes and truly remember that day in my life. In fact, I find m...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/09/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-march-10-2023/
After a solid streak of good days at school, Carson had a challenging day last Friday.As luck would have it, it happened to be the same day as my long-time coworker Shawn Soper’s services. The ...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/02/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-march-3-2023/
Life at home with 14- and 13-year-old sons is a lot of things, the least of which is dull.Maybe your house is the same, depending on the age of the kids. The younger the kids are the more chaotic...
https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/02/23/the-adventures-of-fatherhood-february-24-2023/