Archives
The Parent Ren XVIII: Answering Tough Questions
Posted on January 24, 2024
I was making a peanut butter sandwich the other night when my child asked me a tough question. It was unexpected, especially during such a mundane task, but I understand that these questions don’t follow a schedule.
The Parent Ren XVII: Chaos, Beautiful and Lovely Chaos
Posted on January 1, 2024
We often strive for a home that’s a picture of order and tranquility, a personal Eden where everything is in its perfect place. Yet, the reality for many of us, especially those with young explorers around, is a living space that’s more like a workshop in perpetual motion, continuously reorganized by a tiny, inquisitive force […]
The weirdest 2023 ever
Posted on December 25, 2023
Another year is about over, and it’s time to do that thing I do where I look back on it and think of all the things I could have done differently, and how things would have worked out. Then again, if I could go back and change things, I wouldn’t. I can’t risk changing things […]
The Parent Ren XVI: You Owe Me Nothing
Posted on October 8, 2023
A strange thing permeates the culture of my mother’s side of my family tree. As long as I can remember, everyone seemed to keep tabs on what was owed by everyone else. To the cousins, aunts, and uncles who helped me in any way, their help for me was an investment. And they let me know.
The Parent Ren XV: Let’s Ride!
Posted on August 6, 2023
I share a personal story about teaching my daughter how to ride a bike. It was a challenging experience filled with tears and frustrations, but ultimately, she overcame her fear and learned to ride. I reflected on the influence of my own parents’ parenting styles on my own approach, and the importance of understanding and supporting our children’s emotional development.
The Parent Ren, Part XIV: Kids, Huh?
Posted on April 29, 2023
I reflect on parenting after hosting my niece and caring for my brother-in-law’s dog. I discuss the different stages of parenting, from speculating about “the child” before conception to teaching and interacting with our daughter. My wife and I have decided to only have one child due to our professional commitments, but have discussed adoption in the future.
The Weight You’ll Gain and Lose
Posted on August 23, 2020
I’m trying harder than ever to lose weight and get healthy. I think I have it figured out. I just hope it’s not too late to reverse decades of damage done to my body by my addiction to food, my lifestyle, and the poor choices I’ve made.
The Parent Ren, Part XIII: Passing on Some Knowledge
Posted on July 16, 2020 1 Comment
The pandemic has been very weird. On the one hand, you have a pandemic — something that, by definition is worldwide and happening concurrently — but then we’re seeing its effects in spots around the country instead of all over simultaneously. This is not a bad thing, per se. I’d rather we buy some time […]
The Parent Ren, Part XI: God Almighty, Stop Testing Me!
Posted on December 5, 2019 2 Comments
Baby Ren is now full-fledged Toddler Ren. As such, she has started to question my authority. This is very common among Rens, and your mileage may vary. The word “No” has become a very prominent part of her vernacular, and it is pretty much the default answer to many of our requests. Still, with our […]
EpidemioLogical 