Father's Day Wish List - No Frills or Fuss! See Dan's list on www.orsoshesays.com
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Father’s Day Wish List – No Frills or Fuss! (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I don’t need a lot for Father’s Day. In fact, my Father’s Day wish list is pretty low-key. Perhaps this is the sentiment of most dads on Father’s day, that we would much rather focus on our own fathers than we would ourselves. If I must be given something for Father’s Day then I guess I will break down and come up with a Father’s Day wish list. I have also thrown in a couple of “do nots” as well. My guess is while I don’t speak for all fathers out there, I would assume that most of us would be happy with one, a combination of, or if you are feeling spry, all of the following.

Keep the First Row Straight... and the rest should follow. Read Dan's insight on doing one's best today on the blog.
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Following Christ- Keep the First Row Straight (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

“When you plow a field, make certain your first row is straight. If the first row is straight, then all the following rows are most likely to be as well. The same can be said for plowing the rows of your life, keep the first row straight, and the other rows will follow suit”. I suggest that Sherman was referring to our first row being our discipleship of Jesus Christ.

I love this!! ~ 13 Rules for My Teenager
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13 Rules For My Teenager (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

My first-born child just turned 13. We have high hopes for his happiness and well-being. Though we as parents recall navigating our teenage years, we understand that each teen’s experience is their own and comes with its own personal form of awkwardness and insecurity. Deanne and I are looking for ways to influence and advise him during these years without squashing his budding personality and independence. That’s why I’m hopeful you’ll benefit from these “Rules For My Teenager” that I have today.

As a parent, this is such a great reminder! A Million Dollar Life Lesson for a Quarter www.orsoshesays.com

Million-Dollar Life Lesson for a Quarter (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

After “correcting” the actions of my child, and reducing my son to tears, I followed the trail of pizza to determine just whom I might need to apologize (and potentially pay for their dinner) to. I peeked around the corner of the next booth ready to have my head bitten off by whomever was in the blast-zone. Instead of outrage or anger, I found an elderly couple and a father and daughter chuckling about what they had just witnessed.

You Might Be A Soccer Parent If… (he: Dan)
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You Might Be A Soccer Parent If… (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

The word “soccer” in my title is interchangeable with any other activity that we as parents allow our children to pursue. You could insert anything – tumbling, karate, band, cheer, dance, chess-club, scouts, all other sports, math… I use soccer as the medium for this post since it is what we do over here at the Jacobs home.

Nontraditional Valentine Ideas – Becoming a Veritable Valentine Virtuoso (he: Dan)

Nontraditional Valentine Ideas – Becoming a Veritable Valentine Virtuoso (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I am the Forrest Gump of Valentine’s Day. Well actually, the only thing Forrest and I share in that regard is that we are both not very smart men, but we know what love is… and I guess that you could say that past Valentine’s Days for my wife were like Forrest’s proverbial box of chocolates. She just never knew what she was gonna get…if anything. On Valentine’s Days of yesteryear I think I occasionally handed my wife an empty box of chocolates, figuratively speaking, on the international day of love.

A Father’s Quest for Peace – Not as the World Giveth (he: Dan)
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A Father’s Quest for Peace – Not as the World Giveth (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I go to church with the hope that I can find peace and respite from disappointment and the frustrations of life. Often, en route to that hopeful communion I find myself on roads which lead nowhere near my desired destination. Last Sunday was a good example of the tendency.

Tis the season for setting goals! Dan shares his insightful and always hilarious outlook on New Year's resolutions and his goals for the year! www.orsoshesays.com
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10 Resolutions for 2016 – Guarantee It’s a Winner Year (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I really don’t care too much for New Years. It’s not just that we have yet another reason to over-eat (which I always do), stay up late (which I am having a harder and harder time doing), or deal with the nuclear fallout which are my grumpy kids (and their grumpy parents) the day after. It’s the whole New Year’s resolution forum I hold in the highest disdain as well. In fact, I have boycotted the whole institution of resolution making for the last several years. I just can’t see why I should set goals that I most likely will not have the will-power to achieve.

Holy cow, this is great!! A must-read for parents! 6 Lessons to Help You Stop Yelling & Start Loving
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6 Lessons to Help You Stop Yelling & Start Loving

ByDan Jacobs

I can’t say I’ve stopped yelling altogether, but my six-week application project taught me some valuable lessons, and the overall trend has been positive. I’ve realized that yelling is an inward-focused abuse of power. When I yell, I disregard the feelings and agency of my boys in my attempt to control them. I’ve also come to understand that yelling is synonymous with laziness. There are far more creative ways to influence my sons, but those ways take more thought, effort, and time. Yelling is a shortcut, and because it works (and provides a fleeting feeling of control), it is also addictive.