Dad can we go river rafting?

For the past year now, I’ve been writing a column for OC Family magazine called Go Ask Your Dad. You can see them here. The column was inspired by my kids and all the probing questions they asked me about life and growing up. The good folks at OC Family liked the idea and have been gracious to offer me space in their magazine for my silly musings. But all good things come to an end and this will too. The August column I wrote for OC Family here is going to be the last. This column is about Abby Sunderland and the role her parents played in letting her try to circumnavigate the globe in her sailboat. I asked some friends (they may recognize their comments) to give me their opinions. They appear in this column. Ironically, I’m sending this as a 14-year-old Dutch girl is trying to set the record Abby attempted.

As for OC Family, they are steering the ship in a different direction. According to the editors, they are changing the focus from experienced dad to new dad. Thankfully, I don’t fit that bill. I have no desire to return to late night feedings and changing diapers. Good luck to that dad though.

So while my column is going away from OC Family, that just means I have to pay more attention to this blog, which I’ve been neglecting. In the coming weeks, months, I plan to  update this blog and add new features and fun. More to come on that soon.

And indeed, I’ve heard that another media outlet may be interested in my column. I’ll keep you posted if that comes to pass also.

Anyway, thanks to OC Family for giving me the forum, thanks to all of you for reading the columns and this blog and thanks to all the dads and moms who do work so hard at the No. 1 most important job of all — raising children.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Here’s my latest column from OC Family. Hope you all have a safe and sane day.

And by the way, happy birthday mama.

Paul is one talented journalist. He cares about the readers and writes for them, not above them, like so many journalists do today. He met Mona, a local PR pro, while he was working the city desk at the Daily Pilot. It looks like a match made in heaven for more than one reason and I’m so happy for them both as they announced this weekend on their Facebook pages that they are engaged to be married.

Twelve years ago, my life was much different. I spent most of my free time surfing or drinking beer with friends. Then, my life changed forever. I learned that Danielle was coming into my life and things have never been the same since.

After Danielle, God blessed me and Beth two more times with Kristen and Nate. Having children changes you in so many ways. And I often wonder, now, how I even had a life without these three people. It seems like they have been a part of me forever.

As I learned how to become a dad, I was also thankful to have a great role model. My dad  went to work every day and provided for his five kids. He coached our teams, taught us to fish, took us on trips and cheered us from the sidelines, no matter what we did. He loves us all dearly and he doesn’t ask for much in return.

Yes, I have been blessed, even more than I deserve. So today I thank God for my dad and that I get to celebrate Father’s Day myself, and I know that there are many dads like me who feel the same. Being a dad is the most important job that we can do. It’s a tough job with many rewards and some headaches. But in the end we know that raising the best kids we can is Job One.

Happy Father’s Day to all those dads who answer the call.

Some of you may remember that I wrote a blog post in January about 16-year-old Abby Sunderland (pictured above) and her decision to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat by herself.  At that time, I questioned why her parents would say yes to something like that. I just can’t fathom (pun intended) letting my teenager (and that’s not too far off for me) do something so dangerous. And now with the news that she has been rescued after previously being lost at sea, it looks like the scrutiny has begun. See this story for more.

The story brings up some interesting points. First, it notes that rescuers had to put their lives on the line to save her in the 20-30 foot seas and high winds. Also, it quotes her dad who dismisses the criticisms by pointing out the high number of kids who are becoming obese or rotting their brains out by watching TV or playing video games.

Talk about an apples to orange comparison. That’s crazy. In both cases, though, we are talking about parenting. Parents need to say no. They need to say no to too much video games or too much Nickelodeon. It’s called parenting. They also need to say no when their minor child wants to cruise the globe by herself in a 40-foot sailboat. I don’t care how many records she may set.

Thankfully, Abby is going to be fine. But can you imagine if she wasn’t? Would the parents be prepared for that? Would they second guess themselves for the rest of their lives? What about their responsibility to make sure Abby grows into a responsible adult or even just into an adult?