NOTEBOOK
Commentary, experiments, failures (more often than not) and experiences in the field.
What It’s Like Being A Parent: Part Eight
Last time, we described what it’s like having twins. Today, let’s talk about friendship, shall we? Friendship with kids is unlike any other kind human relationship. Between the volatility, lack of cohesive thought, and quicksilver amendments, kid friendship borders on looking like an abusive relationship with a stuffed animal. But rather than type all the […]
Robots Will Want Babies Too
Let’s face it. Science fiction has done a pretty interstellar job of predicting the future. Computers, smartphones, lasers, 3D printing, space travel, velcro, all fortune-told by sci-fi long long ago in a galaxy, well… right here. Of course we’ll impose our stereotypes and body-image issues onto robots, so they’re not likely to look like a […]
3 Bad Moments in Advertising for Parents
Advertising has hit an all-new level of weird, guys. Not only are advertisers taking over social networks and the entire internet with paid ads, but sometimes these “marketers” lack in creativity and common sense often found in the hands of thoughtful artists and publishers so much that we are subjected to some really ridiculous media. […]
Your Time Here
Dear Finn, Let me tell you the story of your life. Know that there will be exceptions, but this is the grand accounting of your human journey. You were born to two loving parents and these parents were afraid they would break you. They drove slowly coming home and lost a good deal of sleep […]
5 Ways You Can Prevent Sucking At Fatherhood
Listen, no one is perfect, but we all want to do better as parents. Today, I want to give some advice, which while rare for HTBAD as a general rule, is something that becomes necessary following major life events, elections, global infections, and any general pants-shitting news. I want to give you five areas to […]
Memos to the Tooth Fairy
My 5yo son’s wiggly-jiggly tooth was recently liberated from his smile and he couldn’t wait to write a pillow-bound note to the Tooth Fairy. Here’s the text (uncorrected, to preserve the cuteness): Dear. TootH. Fairy. i Love you. My tooth FeLL. out. i wANt presents. tHANk you. Short, polite and to the point. Adorable, […]
Pretend Parenting
I’m not a perfect person. But, I like to pretend to think I am… When we found out WE were pregnant (I LOVE that phrase), I decided I would be the best father to ever walk the face of the Earth. All men before me would pale in comparison and children would flock from all […]
A #FlushIQ Bathroom Twitter Potty!
When Delta Faucet came to us and said, “We want to party with you guys about toilets” — we couldn’t say YES fast enough. Getting a chance to talk about bathroom bravery and funny mishaps? WE’RE IN. Delta Faucet wants to tell you all about their #FlushIQ toilet, which sounds like a cyborg and a […]
Cheating Death
In between the fun and filled-up diapers there are quieter moments in parenting. They hit you when you let your guard down. You’ll be tucking your kid in for bed or sitting on the couch watching your child watch one of your favorite shows from childhood. He’s laughing with you. You look at each other […]
A First-Grader’s Poem Moved Me More Than Shakespeare
The poem pictured above was supposedly written by a first grader. Here’s a formatted and slightly corrected text version: We did the soft wind We danced slowly We swirled around We danced soft We listened to the music We danced to the music We made personal space This was written by a kid, […]
