Carla and I are in the stage before the empty nest, whatever that’s called. We’re not quite empty nesters because we still have one at home in high school. We’re more like intermittently semi-occupied nesters. Is that a thing? If not, I’m calling it. We’re ISONs. In this stage, our house can go from empty … Continue reading Full driveway, full house, full heart
Tag: family
Letting them figure it out
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
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
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
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
Yard sales
I’m not a big fan of yard sales. I do not rise early on weekends to catch the best ones in the neighborhood. I don’t scan Facebook groups for promotions of upcoming sales near me. I am not excited about the prospects of having to put one on myself. But last weekend shifted my attitude … Continue reading Yard sales
School’s out for the summer (older kid edition)
When our boys were younger, the end of the school year used to mean popsicles, trips to the playground, swimming at the neighborhood pool and unstructured play time. This is what summer used to look like for us way back in 2012. I haven’t been nostalgic for those days, but I have noticed just how … Continue reading School’s out for the summer (older kid edition)
You win some, you lose some and sometimes it rains
My two older sons and I failed in our first attempt to see the Atlanta Braves take on the San Diego Padres at Truist Park May 18 because of inclement weather, and we weren’t mad about it. The rainout doubled our fun. I had a jacket and we all had our umbrellas at the ready … Continue reading You win some, you lose some and sometimes it rains
Graduation vs. Commencement
If you’re like me, your social media feeds are filled with joyous celebration photos from high school graduations and college commencements across the country. This is the season of endings and beginnings. Last year we had the former. This year we have the latter. All this pomp and circumstance has me contemplating the differences between … Continue reading Graduation vs. Commencement
Mothers and sons
It seems rare for a family structure to repeat, but my family is living proof it happens. I grew up the oldest of three boys with my mom the lone female in a household of uniquely male eccentricities. I am now the parent of three boys with my wife the lone female in a similar … Continue reading Mothers and sons
New South Essays 