Episode One: Coke Dick, Fetus, and Panic Hey man, how come you treat your woman so bad? That’s not the way you do it. No, no, no… you shouldn’t do it like that. -Pulp “A Little Soul” I didn’t turn into a father the moment…
This week’s installment is a bit of a departure in terms of format. Hope you like it. #True story all. — Bad Papa East
Parenthood is about letting go. Letting go of power and of control. Control, in the early stages of childhood, can manifest as deceit at times. OK, lies. I’ve turned to Bush Jr. White House tactics. I was lying to my son for his own good:…
Halloween. Highly divisive among adults, universally loved and adored by children ages ~12 and under. I used to LOVE Halloween. Being a chubby child with a hyperactive imagination, Halloween was the absolute best! It was the one day of the year when everybody else gets…
Yes, yes, I know. We’ve been having a blast watching the Mets get to the World Series. Cheering on home runs, outs, calling balls and strikes, yelling “Thor” whenever the camera caught his blonde mane. It’s been a good run. It still is. The Mets…
A Long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, a University Chicago auditorium opened its doors in the late dusk to admit a gaggle of parents, children and students. It was the early 80’s, perhaps 1981. Ronald Reagan was the President. My young…
It’s up to you to be a superhero. -Cat Power Sebastian spots Spiderman among the costumed characters and caped crusaders. We’re mingling with Elmo, Despicable Me, Woody and Buzz. There’s a grimy Batman who’s making the rounds and then I spot another Elmo. That’s two…
What is it about Superheroes? Kids just LOVE them. What’s not to like? How cool would it be to have super powers? Super strength, X-Ray vision, incredible healing capacity, the ability to fly? You could do what you like, with no fear of repercussion. You…
Yesterday Sebastian turned six. What a ride so far. When he was born we were subjected to a torrent of baby gifts and greeting cards. One of the cards stood out to me at the time. “Have a magical childhood, Sebastian!” it read As I…
Plenty of digital ink has been spilled on the subject of helicopter parents, free-range kids and the general overbearing nature that modern parents bring to the task of childcare. I am interested discussing one small discreet moment within this larger macro: when your kid falls…