jump to navigation

NOTE: The spam filter is being unusually aggressive. If you comment does not immediately appear, it has simply been placed in moderation and I will approve it as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

"Murphy was an optimist!"

Of Being Dad May 16, 2014 6:52 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

For the briefest of moments, I believed I was a stay-at-home dad then the dream was shattered.

add a comment

Of Being Dad May 15, 2014 7:15 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

First words uttered after returning home from sending the 8 year old to school? "Drug the dog"

add a comment

My submission for Dad of the Year May 14, 2014 7:41 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Evan, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being Dad
, 2comments

"Stop fighting, Goddammit!"

2comments

Sleep is the worst May 12, 2014 7:16 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Health, Mental, Of Being Dad, Sleep
, add a comment

Chronic stress means waking up more tired than when you fell asleep.

add a comment

I’m Hercules! May 8, 2014 7:19 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

Family – what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
(They’ll get me eventually…)

add a comment

On Parenting May 6, 2014 7:40 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

"You could have handled that better," my inner voice remarked snidely. I already knew that. Before the voice got close to berating me, I’d already given myself a mental beat down, replayed the interaction with the child in my head and imagined three better ways to handle the situation without resulting in years of therapy in the child’s adult years.

I will not make excuses. I am by no means the television dad that holiday portrays in the 30 minute sitcoms. Always wise. Always sensitive. Always knowing the best way to fix a problem. I also don’t have a room for of writer’s and editors.

I will not make excuses. Life is hard. Full of stress. I set high expectations for myself and the child. We are both learning as we go. By the time the child reaches adulthood, hopefully we will have both figured this out.

I want better for my children. They deserve better than me.

add a comment

Dear Kids April 20, 2014 11:34 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

When Dad cleans, lectures follow. Don’t let Dad clean!

add a comment

On Parenting April 13, 2014 4:45 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

The most frustrating part of parenting is seeing your failings as a parent through the actions or inactions of your children.

add a comment

Cringeworthy moment March 14, 2014 10:44 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Family, From the mouths of babes, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

Cringeworthy moment: Hearing your small child say, "I like your youtube video where you blah blah blah and blah blah and my favorite, chutney!" Do you remember when only adults were on the Internet? My videos do!

add a comment

Public Education Is Not Free March 14, 2014 7:48 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

To anyone who has ever said, "public education is free," I just wrote a $178 check so my son can take two exams.

add a comment

Seeking advice on using US phones in Europe March 11, 2014 2:33 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Noah, Of Being Dad, Travel
, add a comment

To my European friends and my more traveled friends, my son heads off to London (7 days) and Paris (2 days) this weekend. My next quandary is cell phone. My plan currently allows my son unlimited texting and sending of pictures over SMS internationally. However, it does not include data or voice. What I learned today was that if he received a phone call (and doesn’t even answer it), he incurs international roaming charges.

So, do I:

  1. make him leave his phone at home?
  2. let him take his phone but remove the sim card so he is forced to use wifi?
  3. Have him jump into an EE store and buy a 30 day prepaid phone? I presume the tour group isn’t going to stop to waste an hour in an EE store letting everyone buy prepaid phones. — does the airport have these in vending machines?
  4. Beg a friend or relative to drop a prepaid phone by his hotel?

Are there other options?

1st person to post a Liam Neeson meme gets 10 points.

add a comment

Rule 79 March 5, 2014 7:24 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

My family has broken rule 79 which clearly states, "Never run out of toilet paper!"

"Kids, gather by the spray nozzle in the kitchen. And someone bring a step ladder. Dad is going to teach your how to use a bidet."

add a comment

Parenting – Old Math February 23, 2014 3:30 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Evan, Family, Of Being Dad
, add a comment

Just taught roman numerals to my 8 year old. That was fun!

add a comment

No monsters in the shower January 6, 2014 1:55 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Family, Of Being Dad
, 1 comment so far

Dear Family,
I am aware that some of you are afraid there are monsters hiding in the shower so you leave the shower curtain open. I would prefer it closed. The benefits of closing the shower curtain after your bath or shower are that the curtain is less likely to mildew plus you can read that cool periodic table of elements. I believe I have a solution! I have mounted a video camera in the shower. Simply point your browser to 192.267.0.389:null and you can see that there are no monsters in the shower.
That is all. And thank you for your cooperation!
Love, Dad

1 comment so far

Check out my child actors! December 10, 2013 10:18 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Evan, Gadgets, Of Being Dad, Technology
, add a comment

Learn more about Node+ at variableinc.com.

add a comment