Tag: Parenting

Me · Quotes

“It’s not National Geographic. Or The New York Times.”

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In one of our regular before-school conversations at Mozart’s Coffee, my daughter and I were talking Instagram.

I told her I keep pretty high standards on what I post. “Each post has to be unique and interesting. Something nobody has seen before. And preferable well-composed.”

My daughter, who is 17 and posts anime edits regularly, caught onto a hint of perfectionism creeping in and encouraged me to post more and just archive what I don’t love.

“Dad, it’s not National Geographic,” she said. And then after a little pause, “Or The New York Times.”

My daughter speaks wisely, and she knows me better than I know myself.

In another life, I may be a jet-setting New York Times photographer or even a reporter tracking down warm criminals. But in this life, I’ll be happy with posting some cool and not always perfect photos around town.

I love it when people I know tell me wise and useful things.

The view of Lake Austin from Mozart’s on a foggy morning. Deemed not Instagram-worthy. 🤔
Parenting · You

Parenting Advice (Dax Shepard Edition)

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Dax Shepard, cool guy that he is, has some great advice on raising kids. My favorite, besides no butt pads (“Your butt is a pad”), is that kids are good at figuring, uh, stuff out.

I watch them navigate situations over and over again that they would not do if I was present or my wife was present. By God, they work shit out.

👉 We Love Dax Shepard’s Easygoing Approach to Parenting

Parenting · You

Let’s Stop Saying No All the Time and Try a Yes Day Instead

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Sometimes we parents think it’s our job to so “no” all the time. While there are certainly times when we must so “no” — hard rules, boundaries, safety — we often so “no” for the wrong reasons.

For example, we say no because the kids is just being loud or messy. Or when saying “yes” means extra work for us such as letting the kid help us with dinner.

Often “no” is our answer when we don’t have the time, energy, or patience to clean up messes or tend to bumps and scrapes.

According to this article, toddlers hear “no” an average of 400 times a day 😳, so “no” stops having real power or meaning to them.

👉 Let’s Stop Saying No All the Time and Try a Yes Day Instead

This article suggests a “yes” day and stop saying “no” out of reflex.

In doing so, our kids might be more responsive, obedient, and accommodating. We might even find out that saying yes can be fun—for the whole family.

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