As parents, we’ve all encountered the seemingly inexhaustible supply of toys, gadgets, and general kid stuff that seems to multiply in our homes. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably looked around your house and wondered how you ended up with so much…stuff. But here’s the thing: this clutter, while visually overwhelming, presents an unexpected…
In my conversations with my kids, one topic that frequently comes up is the idea of knowing when enough is enough. It’s a lesson that, while simple, holds profound significance for our happiness. Understanding when we have enough is not just a practical consideration; it’s a powerful mindset that can transform our lives. It shifts…
When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I put a lot of thought into what life lessons to teach our kid. I was in my late 30s and stewing over how old I would be as they grew up. I kept thinking, if I die while they are young what do I want…
No one wants to be told no. Of course that’s true. But parents forget it. Little kids spend the first few decades constantly told no. Why? It’s easy for parents to say no. We have a rule in our house. If you can not justify the no, then you should say no. This started when…
I want to be a good dad and I try hard to be one. It’s not easy but I try to be present. I love my kids and my wife very much. Nearly my entire motivation for wanting to retire early is to have time to spend with them, and to just be present. That’s…
Every business, no matter how large or small, can be compared to a lemonade stand. This simple concept has been the foundation for teaching my son, who is now 7 years old, about money. Ever since he was 4, he has been setting up his lemonade stand, and over the years, it has grown more…
We love to read to our kids and teach them to read. (Admittedly, my wife does a much better job of it than I do, she’s great actually). There are several go-to books that I love to read them. Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go” is actually the first book I read to my…
This was originally written in Sept 2021, it has since been updated as we’ve learned and experienced more. The main thing we’ve learned as our kids have aged? The strategies in this post work. How do you stop a temper tantrum? This is so tough. We have 3 kids 4 and under 3 kids 6…
Please teach your kid personal finance. The school system barely does. I have not dissected anything since high school. I have not used calculus. Trigonometry and Geometry have added no value to anything in my life. But I have borrowed money, saved money, made money, spent money, and invested money. We all do these things…
Five years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first kid I thought long and hard about how to be a good dad. I thought about my dad’s style. That gave me framework for what not to do. Then I started thinking about what matters and what I would have wanted. Actually I thought…
