common sense

A papa’s delight is a toddler’s terror (Letter #041)

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We'd have been *really* scared if we'd seen what was behind us!

Papa learned a valuable parenting lesson this past weekend: It’s really easy to over-estimate your child’s readiness for things.

We took Baobao to the Luskville Falls trail in Gatineau Park on Saturday, where the southern tip of Canadian Shield descends into the Saint Lawrence Lowlands. Our intention: to hike at least part of the Luskville Falls Trail.

In retrospect, a pretty dumb idea even if conditions had been ideal. The National Capital Commission rates it as a “Difficult” climb, and we had a toddler in tow.

But it wasn’t the difficulty that made us turn around. Read More …

Monster! Part III (Letter #039)

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And hast though slain the Jabberwok? Oh frabjus day! Calloo! Callay!

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy. — Lewis Carroll

In which Carl the Second becomes Carl the Hero! Red more …

Papa’s Diary – January 28, 2021

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Whose snuggle puppy is whose?

No means no!

I’m sure most of us have unpleasant (or worse) memories of aunts or uncles who insisted on smothering us with unwelcome hugs and kisses when we were small. And too many of us had parents who insisted that we not “be mean” to that relative.

Recently, Baobao has been, playfully, saying No! to me. What’s a Papa to do?