Why Every Parents Should Take a Vacation Without Their Kids

I made it five days into my dream vacation before bursting into tears in the middle of the elevator in my hotel.

I was in London, giving myself the break everyone told me I needed — the break I’d wished for so many times. Finally, I could put down the weight on my shoulders that never goes away. No work. No responsibility.

And, most significantly of all, no kids.

I’d never been away from my kids for longer than a day. I’m a single dad, and they’re teenagers, so it was a long time coming.

And it was great… until it wasn’t.

Read more

8 First Time Dad Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

I’ve been a dad for 8 years now, and as of this writing, I have two girls — 2 and 8.

In that time, I have learned a lot. And it seems that, somehow, I have more and more to learn each and every day. New mistakes to make! New ways to screw up!

As a first time dad, I knew next to nothing. The amount of responsibility in front of me was totally overwhelming.

It would be impossible for me to write an entire manual of everything you need to know as a first time dad.

But here are just a few simple first time father tips I picked up that I wish I knew from the very beginning.

Let’s get right into my list!

Read more

50 Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Rodriguez

Hey there, Rodriguez family!

Great last name, by the way. One of the most popular and terrific-sounding names in the Spanish-speaking world.

You have so many awesome first name choices for your baby, but it may help to narrow them down to a strong shortlist. Shall we?

Here are some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Rodriguez.

Read more

50+ Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Miller

Welcome, Miller family!

What a terrific, classic, and strong last name you have. Picking a first name to go with should be a piece of cake.

Right?

Well, the only bad news about your last name is that there are SO many options that sound good with it, it can be tough to narrow them down.

Allow us to help.

Here are some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Miller.

Read more

50+ Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Morgan

Welcome Morgans!

Congratulations on adding a new baby to the family.

One of the toughest jobs you’ll face as you get ready is, of course, picking a baby name. The good news is that Morgan is a strong and flexible last name that sounds great with all kinds of different options.

Still, it helps to narrow them down. Shall we?

Here are some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Morgan.

Read more

8 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Daughter Went Through Puberty

As a man in his soon-to-be late 30s, I’m pretty far removed from puberty.

But from what I can remember, there were mostly a lot of pimples, a growth spurt or two, and awkwardly trying to find myself in middle and high school.

Overall, though, not a crazy experience and certainly nothing that required a lot of hand-holding.

Now, I have a daughter, and she’s starting to go through puberty, and I realize how much different the experience is for girls than boys. The worst thing I had to worry about was an erection at a bad time. For girls, a worst-case scenario is much more intense.

Read more

50 Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Martin

Martin is such a terrific last name!

Just common enough, just unique enough, and flexible to sound good with a huge plethora of first names.

One tiny problem — with all those choices, it can be tough to narrow down your top selections.

So we’re here to help!

Here are some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Martin.

Read more

50 Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Sullivan

When I hear the name Sullivan, I can’t help but think of the lovable monster Sully from Monsters, Inc.

Just me?

You’ve got a great last name, and if you’re looking for a first name for your new baby, you’ve got a ton of choices.

Looking for some help narrowing them down? Allow me!

Let’s take a look at some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Sullivan.

Read more

50 Boy and Girl First Names That Go With the Last Name Jones

Jones — what a classic last name.

It’s extremely common and flexible, meaning you’ll have lots of choices when you’re getting ready to name your new baby.

(I’m guessing Indiana isn’t on your list?)

But with a last name like Jones, it can actually be touch to narrow all of those choices down to a manageable list.

So let me help.

Without any further ado, here are some of the best boy and girl first names that sound good with the last name Jones.

Read more