Stories for Dads and Moms who Need a Laugh

instagram.com “Don’t work for your money. Let your money work for you,” is one of the things I remember my grandfather telling me. It was certainly an attractive notion. The idea that my money could make me more money was something that appealed to me.  I’ve always looked at the stock market as fantasy sports. Putting your money into a company that people are always buying and not only raising the price of your shares but also the chance of an occasional dividend is something that certainly appeals to many people for obvious reasons. Investing in the Stock Market Years ago, I put some money into the stock market. I looked at some companies that looked interesting to me, and with a little research I was certain these were sound investments. I bought shares and reinvested the dividends. It was something I had always wanted to do since learning about the stock market in a high school math class. The more I learned about shares, dividends, and potential stock splits, the more my curios...

I was minding my own business when I got a text from a friend I hadn't seen in 20 years. Chris told me he was in town for a few days, and he thought it would be a great idea if we were able to meet up for a beer or two. Great minds thinking alike, I naturally agreed with him. The New Kid in Class I met Chris one day in religion class at my alma mater, Bishop Fenwick High School . He was "the new kid". I don't know how he ended up being transferred to my class. It was winter, months into the school year, but here he was. I still remember that day. I got to class and sat down. I exchanged greetings with someone who sat near me. That was when I noticed him sitting in the back of the room. The guy I asked shrugged his shoulders, and we agreed he was probably someone who was making up a test in another class. My teacher, Ms. Bertrand, came into the class. She saw Chris and was surprised. "Oh," Ms. Bertrand said. "You're here today." "Yes,"...

"Sometimes, No Means I Love You" Parents deal with a lot of questions every day. The questions can be a simple one like, "Can I have a cookie?" and sometimes they can be a little more complex. If you're a parent, you know what level of ridiculous they can be.  Questions that can be answered with a "Yes" or a "No" are usually simple questions. It's the follow-up question, usually "Why?" that poses some problems. As our little cherubs get older, the questions and requests will be a little more involved. Children will get a little more independent (theoretically), and said requests will be for more than just a snack. They will probably want some type of cool clothes, something to put in their room, or a chance to go somewhere with their friends and stay out later than usual. This is where the experience and expertise as parents come in. While our children will present all of the reasons and logic why what they want is something goo...

Life can be tough. Any part of it. Work life, home life, school life. It's not always easy getting out of bed to face the day. When we're kids, we think about what it will be like to be grown up and do whatever we want. When we grow up, we think about being kids going to bed early and having someone else worry about what to cook for dinner. Maybe a chance for an occasional bowl of ice cream. Sometimes we will run into a person or people that will make our lives difficult. These bullies can be anywhere, at school or on the playground. Kids think that when they grow up everyone knows how to behave, including these people, and they will realize what they were doing and what they were thinking about people was wrong and they will be better people. "How wonderful the day will be. And how happy I am, so happy to be me." - Indigo Blue Unfortunately, that's not always how it works. No matter how nice we are to people, and how hard we try, there will be some people in the ...