Salem-News.com Fathers articles Page 1

Gratitude

Over boulders the size of large beach balls, the car literally flew nose-first into the wash. The momentum carried the car into a front side flip, spiraling over once or twice...

(AGOURA, Calif.) - So, we've all read those PEOPLE magazine stories about people living through a life threatening experience and coming out a changed person, right?

Well, a very good friend of mine lived through just such an experience.

Driving alone on 395, he fell asleep at the wheel. In the middle of nowhere with only his dog as company, and the cruise control set in the low 70s, he drifted off to sleep as the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon.

A Hamster and Some Dead Birds

In addition to the warm happy times, kids realize that LIFE has its harsh moments, its realities...

(AGOURA, Calif.) - One of parenting’s biggest challenges is when to protect your kids from “Life” and when to let them learn the truth about it. I experienced this twice, in the past couple of years, in interesting and similar ways…one when it “wasn’t time” and one when it was!

My younger son, when he was 7-years-old, wanted a hamster, after playing at a friend’s house that had several.

Their “Mommy” hamster had just given birth to several baby hamsters and they graciously gave a darling one to my son. Since it was around his birthday, we went to the pet store and bought a nice hamster cage and all the trimmings. I made him promise to clean the cage, once a week, and he agreed.

They`re Growing Up

The first disappointing moment occurred when the boys ganged up on me and refused to call me “Daddy” anymore.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - There are so many passages for parents, with their kids, as they grow up. I remember the “big ones” like first words, first steps, and first poops.

I remember smaller ones, like throwing away the wet wipes, once and for all, when my second son was “done” with his toilet training (sometime prior to starting 4th grade, I think).

Seriously, I still get occasionally whiffs of those wipey smells, from where I don’t know, and don’t miss them for a moment. But, some of these passages are harder to take than others.

Spoiled

Where does a parent draw the line?

(AGOURA) - I recently got in a debate with a close friend about his wanting to get his not-yet-16-year-old a car. “He’s done well in school; he deserves it,” my friend says.

This same friend is financially strapped, in constant debt, yet wants to please his son whose many friends “all have cars.”

My fiancé and I regularly spar over what constitutes being spoiled and she believes, for example, that the “fancy” cell-phones I just got the boys, she and I were “too much.” “What do they have to look forward to?” she asks.

Bruce Sallan Joins Salem-News.com`s Team of Writers

Salem-News.com welcomes aboard a new writer with a background in Hollywood and a future in parenting.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A new writer has joined the Salem-News.com team. Bruce Sallan was an award-winning television executive and producer for 25 years, during which time he produced over 30 television movies, pilots and series.

He produced his first television movie at age 24 and was a Vice President at ABC at 29. "Google" him if you care for the specifics.

Along the way, Bruce worked with such actors as Ingrid Bergman, Ron Howard (before he was a director), Mickey Rourke, Ben Affleck, Denise Richards, Hal Holbrook, Barbara Hershey, and Brian Dennehey. He wrote articles for Daily Variety and the Producers Caucus Bulletin.