Parenting today involves a lot of heavy equipment, evidently. From “helicopter parenting” to “lawnmower parenting” and even “bulldozer parenting,” much has been made on social media, in the press and scholarly journals on the impact on a person’s psychology when parents are too involved in their children’s lives and deny them the opportunity to overcome … Continue reading Letting them figure it out
Category: Uncategorized
Projects and piddlin’
I spent Labor Day weekend with my folks in Lake Wales, Fla., and tried my best to complete as many projects as I could in three days. I don’t get down there as often as I should, and I mean no disrespect when I say this, they are at an age where they need assistance … Continue reading Projects and piddlin’
Pep rallies
Who doesn’t love a pep rally? They’re loud, boisterous, emotionally overwrought and typically focused on sports and athletes. If that isn’t your scene, you may not be into it. But even if you aren’t naturally a pep rally person, you have to admit, you could use a cheering crowd from time to time to get … Continue reading Pep rallies
Football season
Exactly what constitutes “football season” has become a moving target for me. This old dog is learning some new tricks. I am on a journey from being a fan of football to becoming a fan of football. Or, to be more precise, moving from American football to association football, which I have always known as … Continue reading Football season
And then there were two
For 13 to 20 years the cycle of our lives includes going back to school. Whether it was a highly anticipated or traumatic experience doesn’t matter. Back-to-school season imprints so heavily on our psyche that it dominates our thoughts and haunts our dreams even if we aren’t actually the ones going back to school. Then … Continue reading And then there were two
A night out with Radney
I’m not a complicated man. You can get me to part with my money in a hurry if you follow this simple formula: ‘90s country music star + Texas-born singer/songwriter + intimate venue = sale. It’s a pretty straightforward algorithm, and the internet has figured me out. Back in the late spring, Spotify sent me … Continue reading A night out with Radney
Unaccompanied minors
Out of sight is not out of mind when you’re a parent. When your children are toddlers, you develop a sixth sense. You instinctively know that if you don’t see them and it’s quiet, trouble is afoot. I learned this summer that sense stays with you the rest of your life. It is especially acute … Continue reading Unaccompanied minors
Olympic memory
The Summer Olympic Games are once again upon us, and I am inevitably transported back to 1996 when Atlanta served as the world's host. I began my post-college journalism career at The Macon Telegraph as a general assignment features writer. It was the best job in journalism I would ever have, and I appreciated it … Continue reading Olympic memory
Summer of shows
It’s been a summer full of drama around our house. And that’s just the way we like it. There once was a time when summer was nothing but sleeping late, snacks, and cartoons for our boys, but since our youngest son, Carlton, was bitten by the acting bug back in 2020, our summer has become … Continue reading Summer of shows
Fewer neckties
My apologies if I’ve been showing too much skin this summer. Modesty and professionalism usually prevents me from exposing my ostrich neck, but the recent "heat dome" has helped me lean into the men’s workplace fashion trend away from the necktie. The death of the necktie has been proclaimed for several years, and last year … Continue reading Fewer neckties
New South Essays 