Stories
Columns on fatherhood, sons, schools, music, and all the unplanned education that happens inside a family.
From the archive
Take This With My Compliments
A cluttered living room leads to a lesson in giving praise clearly — and receiving it with grace.
The One That Ends With Hope
Two children, one playground, and a story about the beliefs we pass on — or choose to change.
Teens Show Bulletproof Leadership
Young people show steadiness and courage when the adults around them struggle to lead.
All’s Fair in Love and Bros
The family car becomes a mobile ring of WrestleMania, and Dad tries to keep both hands on the wheel.
Halloween is for Kids, Right?
A carefully planned trick-or-treat night reminds a father who the holiday really belongs to.
The Brass Tacks of Music Education
A black instrument case arrives from school and opens a surprising chapter in one son’s life.
A Road Well Traveled
A college son’s winter-break road trip tests a father’s ability to trade worry for trust.
The Gift of Boredom
Winter break, a dreaded phrase, and the creative possibilities that appear when entertainment runs out.