Pat Kose

How Do I Explain Michael Jackson?

My five year-old daughter wasn’t feeling well. In the middle of the night she came into bed with my wife and I. She climbed in, got under the covers and said “Daddy, are Michael Jackson’s brothers alive?” Naturally. Michael Jackson, and his family, have been a frequent topic of questions from my kids for theContinue reading “How Do I Explain Michael Jackson?”

My Daughter Hates Gym Class

She was in tears. She was on the verge of a full out meltdown. Refusing to get off the couch. Refusing to get her shoes on and get ready for school. I thought she must not be feeling well, but between her sobs she was able to let me know that wasn’t the case. ThenContinue reading “My Daughter Hates Gym Class”

My Son Won’t Stop Biting

There comes a time in every father’s life when he must sink his teeth into the fleshy pudge of of his three-year old’s arm. No? Is that just me? I know it is a very common thing for a child to go through a biting phase, but it is my understanding that it is alsoContinue reading “My Son Won’t Stop Biting”

The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of

Over the years, my kids rarely get up in the middle of the night because they’ve had a bad dream. When it does happen, it seems to come in waves. We’ll go months without somebody crying out for mommy or daddy (usually daddy), and then get three or four in a week. Some of themContinue reading “The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of”

I Wish I Could Tell My Kids to Shut Up

I won a raffle at a local coffee shop this week (shout out to Sparrows!) and my prize was a gift basket of stuff. It was sitting out on the counter when my wife got home from work, and upon seeing it she joyfully exclaimed “Shut up! We won!?” While my kids were not thatContinue reading “I Wish I Could Tell My Kids to Shut Up”

My Kids Are Always Singing

Even before my kids were born, we always had music in the house. Records, radio, streaming, whatever, just something playing in the background. After my kids were born, we introduced them to music pretty much from the time we brought them home from the hospital. Music is supposed to be good for their little developingContinue reading “My Kids Are Always Singing”

Will Scoring a Goal Go to My Kid’s Head Or Mine?

Since they were born, I’ve used many words to describe my daughters. Athletic has never been one of them. I’d like to think they have always been averagely coordinated for kids their age, but their abilities, behavior, and general interests so far don’t paint them as athletes. My five-year old daughter, Evie, has fallen downContinue reading “Will Scoring a Goal Go to My Kid’s Head Or Mine?”

My Son is a Very Pretty Boy

My three-year old son has a lot of stereotypical little boy tendencies. He likes looking at big trucks. He likes to play with cars. He’ll walk up to you and randomly punch you in the leg. Not to be pigeon holed into traditionally assigned gender-based interests, he also enjoys the aesthetic of having freshly paintedContinue reading “My Son is a Very Pretty Boy”

A Dad Makes Fire

I recently took my three kids camping for the first time. My big fear was that they would hate it. They wouldn’t want to sleep in a tent, they wouldn’t understand that there is no TV, they wouldn’t be OK with a shared toilet. But they all did really well. Sure, they need to workContinue reading “A Dad Makes Fire”

It’s Official: I’m a Cool Dad

I never really wondered what my kids thoughts of me. Then again, I never had to. They are open about telling me I’m the best dad ever after I perform such incredible feats as blowing on their hot oatmeal or being done with work for the day. Low as the bar to impress them mightContinue reading “It’s Official: I’m a Cool Dad”