Stories for Dads and Moms who Need a Laugh

Halloween is this week. This means dressing up and trick-or-treating for children. For me, it means imposing the "Dad Tax" while I check out what was brought home and making sure candy is "safe" to eat. Lovie loves this time of year because stores are putting Christmas displays next to the Halloween candy. For her, Fall is a reminder the Christmas is right around the corner. This seems like a very big corner. Meanwhile, my beloved daughter is continuing to bake yummy treats that coincide with the Fall Season. It's just a matter of time before she starts rolling out the Christmas goodies. If you're like Lovie, Halloween means the doors are beginning to creak open to Christmas. As soon as the candy bags are dropped and the costumes are put away, stores across the nation are decked out with yuletide cheer. Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving leads to Christmas, which soon means it's time to welcome the New Year. They don't call them "...

August, 2022. My in-laws' dog in the background. P arents do things for their children. It's part of the job description. Sometimes, we do things and we don't even understand why we're doing it for them. Sometimes, our children ask us to do something that seems simple enough when we start out. A Halloween Tradition We have a tradition in our family that centers around Halloween. It's been happening for a few years. Every Halloween my children decide what I'm going to be. I don't go trick-or-treating with them. I hold down the fort at home and keep a little campfire going for the nice children and parents that come by for their annual candy. I usually have a pot of apple cider warming on the fire for the nice people who come by. There is one constant element to the costume my children pick out. I have to have a beard. Beginning October 1, I give the shaving cream, razor and aftershave a month-long vacation and let nature take it's course. My children...