Elementary school, dropping off was sad. We love them. It’s natural.

Middle and high school, my wife dances in the driveway the first day they’re off to school.

Was listening to an interview with David Cross, the comedian and actor. He was asked what was the best advice he had ever gotten. He said the best advice was from Jon Stewart, regarding parenting:

“Don’t take it personally.”

Said he thought about that every day.

do less of: hovering, rescuing, and pressuring.

Generally good advice in all situations.

I use these to store used hot cooking oil after cooking. That way they don’t clog the pipes. When they fill up I take them down to a place that recycles cooking oil into biofuel.

A physics teacher once told me there is no stronger force in nature than a teenage boy looking for online porn.

My wife and I used to tag-team. Only one person got to lose it at a time. As soon as one person got that distant, exasperated look, Parent 2 jumped in and Parent 1 could go cool down, watch a show, have a drink, or take a bath. If solo, we’d use distraction and humor. If too much, you stick them in a playpen with toys and let them self-sooth.

If it’s any consolation, they won’t remember diddly-squat of anything that happened before ages 5-6.