As parents when talking about "The Talk" we all mean the same thing: talking to our kids about sex. As far as subjects go, this tops the list as being the most important for reasons from irresponsible procreation to contracting diseases. But what about the other talks you could and/or should be having with your kids? The Better Virtues of Manhood Talk - Being a man is about … [Read more...]
6 Tips For Eating Together As A Family
Now that the holidays are upon us, images of food and eating it in large groups as family and friends are commonplace. Everywhere you can think of actually, from the sides of city buses to the glaring repetitive commercials airing during all your favorite television programming. 'Tis the season to be jolly! as the saying goes. But what about those other days? The ones that … [Read more...]
Are You An Internet Dignitary Or Gangster?
If social media has done anything besides shrink the degrees of separation between humans down to about one, it has all but destroyed common courtesy. People who really don't know one another and seemingly purchased their manners from a broken 25-cent gumball machine address each other as if they've known each other for years --- as if they're cool. And let's make the … [Read more...]
Should You Marry Equally Yoked?
Marriage can be a source of immeasurable joy or pain, sometimes both. A marriage not only impacts the two principal players"”the husband and wife and their children, but creates a ripple effect out across everyone they know and care about, for better or worse. Psychologists, counseslors, drug companies and in some truly unfortunate cases, police officers and detectives are in … [Read more...]
10 Real-World Tips To Spice Up Your Marriage
The battle of the sexes rages on even in and maybe because of marriage. There are two truths constantly in play and not always playing nicely together. Maybe that's because we refer to it as a battle? Too many times spouses get caught up in pointless and perpetual battles for superiority and "rightness" inside the home and out. The idea of working together is an often … [Read more...]
Give Each Other The Present
A couple weeks back while on my way to a gala fundraiser I received a text from my wife. She apologized for not being able to attend with me. It wasn't her fault. We were double-booked that night. I was a little disappointed because it would've been an opportunity for us to rub elbows as grown folks do"”something we haven't really been able to do much since moving to our new … [Read more...]
Marriage and Facebook: Do You Feel The Pressure To Broadcast Your Business?
I recently celebrated my fourth wedding anniversary. Well, not exactly. The day was on a school night, and unfortunately my wife and I had plans that would keep us apart that evening. She was attending an evening event for an MBA conference. I had a fundraiser to attend for an organization where I volunteer. Although I thought it would have been a great date night "doing it up … [Read more...]
All Men AREN’T Dogs, Boars, Hawks or Any Other Animal
I recently read an article written by a man about men, black men in particular. Although married, he outlined reasons why men prey on women weaker than them and he also warned women that should they enter the game (dating, love and relationships) thinking they have the upper hand they'll lose. It was a warning to all who read it. In the comments, several women applauded the … [Read more...]
The Joys Of Fatherhood
Before I became a father I put an extreme value for my time. If you messed with my time I was ready to fight. It's not that I was even doing anything all that important. I wasn't up in the club for my weekly grind, I didn't have a weekly poker night with the fellas that was set in stone. It was just that my time was simply that"”mine. So with the arrival of kids in my life … [Read more...]
Black Dad Bloggers That You Need To Know
Want to find the best spots on the web that speak directly to issues and circumstances that pertain to African American parenting? Well you're in luck! We've pulled together a few of our favorite blogs to share with you. Today's list features the dad bloggers. These are the brothers who are on the front line of the web holding it down for their kids and families. Their share … [Read more...]
Men Ain’t Boys – Authentic Manhood
I watched Men Ain't Boys recently, and as I pressed play I wondered how much of what I said when I was taped for the documentary actually made it to the film. I remember being genuinely nervous as I sat down in front of the camera, unsure of what was going to be asked of me and thanks to a few extra pounds I've since lost, not too happy with the way I felt or looked. I … [Read more...]
When Love Isn’t Loving You Properly
During a recent Sunday visit to my local church I was absolutely floored by something the pastor said as a part of his sermon: "If you don't know how to love yourself, I don't want you around me. Not right now anyway." His comment elicited an initial hush, then a gasp before the understanding "Oohs" and "Amens" came bursting forth from the congregation. In my growing … [Read more...]
Brain Aneurysms: Sudden & Silent Killers
In April, one of my wife's cousins was taken from this life after suffering a brain aneurysm. She was a beautiful, graceful and productive woman, mother and grandmother who left us all too soon at the age of fifty. What she thought was an unbelievably splitting headache signaled the end of her life. Since her passing it has been a goal of mine to bring awareness to this often … [Read more...]
Two Words That Will Save Your Relationship: “I’m Sorry”
When you are wrong"”whether that wrong is "small" or you are dead you-know-what wrong"”how long does it take you to apologize? Do you feel you need to apologize at all? The Usual Suspects The following are the usual culprits for being slow to apologize and not apologizing at all. Familiarity Delusion Pride Familiarity Relationships are all around us"”with our … [Read more...]
Why Husbands Take Their Time Taking Out The Trash
In marriage, who are the better communicators - men or women? Most of you probably thought "women" as you were reading the question. The question that needs to be asked then is what are the reasons behind men being poor communicators in their marriages? This lack of communication can cause many problems. Wives don't "get" their husbands. Husbands brand their wives need to be … [Read more...]