Renaissance Dad: Christmas Reflections
I’ll wake up this Christmas Eve morning, as I do every year, thinking about my Mom. It's been 28 years since our last Christmas together. Mom loved Christmas. Even though there was never much money, there was always a tree covered with gaudy old bulbs,
Elsa’s Juggle: How a Visit to Kenya Changed Me, and My Daughter
“$20? I want $100!” It was my daughter Ajuna’s 7th birthday party. My sister had graciously given her cash, and here my daughter was, in front of our friends and family, requesting more. I was embarrassed, but more than that, I was concerned
What Makes Grandparents Truly Grand
I have many fond memories of running inside my grandparents’ house, and raiding the cupboard for grandma’s homemade spritz cookies before my sister and I started building a fort in the basement. I can hear my grandfather’s laugh and the
Editor’s Pick: “The Healing You Can Do” by Meghan T. Hindi
Everyone experiences challenges in life, but a few (perhaps a growing number) of us face profound suffering that leads to truly dark places. Yacolt author, doula, wife and mother, Meghan T. Hindi, identifies squarely as the latter. “I first experienced
Adverse Childhood Experiences: Prevention and Resilience
By first grade, Clark County resident Grace* had experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Her mom and dad were young, not ready to be parents, and both struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Experiencing shame and humiliation at home and
Men’s Mental Health: The Unique Challenges and the Way Forward
The data don’t lie: More men are likely to reach for the bottle than the phone when they need mental and emotional help. When it comes to dealing with life’s stresses—their job (or lack of it), relationship issues, health concerns—men
Good Grief: Helping Children Cope with Loss
It’s been said that loss is simply another word for change. Loss impacts children’s lives at every stage, from infancy through young adulthood, and can bring on feelings of turmoil, grief, and sadness. Whether a child experiences loss through the
The New Domesticity: Words of Wisdom
“Act smart and be respectful!” It started as a joke. My sister and I adored the 1985 “Anne of Green Gables” miniseries and committed many favorite lines to memory. One of the more memorable was the snippy dictum issued by Mrs. Blewett to
The New Domesticity: Bringing Forth
When the snowball bushes bloom in May, I am once again a 5-year-old in long brown braids and a gingham dress. Tucked away in my childhood backyard, I seek the shelter of the flowering bush. Buds explode in a riot of white, each
Renaissance Dad: No Chain-mail Required
Honor [on’-er] verb 1. regard with great respect. synonyms: highly esteem, admire, defer to, look up to, think highly of. Back in the old days, it was easy for us guys to show honor to our wives. Just don your armor, hop on your horse, and