The Nest — #grandpa

  You're a firefighter and let's face it, you're a little different from the rest. As the years go by, and the experiences pile up, parts of “the job” begin to define who you are. It doesn’t happen all at once, and most of the time you can't even notice it. Your kids, not knowing the pre-firefighter you, simply accept you the way you are. Ask a kid how he knows his dad is a firefighter and these are some of the things you might hear: 1) He says weird things like “Stand by,” or “Roger that,” instead of “Wait...

by Anne Gagliano What does it take to be a good father?  Words elude me on this topic, for I am not a father but a mother.  I will, instead, quote my son, for who better to define a good father than the child of one? In our family, we have established a wonderful tradition with our sons: When we give each other a book (we are all avid readers), the giver must sign the book with a personal note.  This gesture turns an ordinary gift into a memorable keepsake.  On Father’s Day 2007, our son wrote these words in...

By Amy Zerello Dad holds a special place in our hearts, and on Father’s Day, he deserves the best! Pass our funniest fatherhood submissions on to a dad in your life and share the priceless gift of laughter! The Right ChoiceMy 16-year-old brother, Ryan, was out late with friends one night. Suddenly he realized it was Father’s Day and he had neglected to buy a card for our dad. After much searching, Ryan located an open store, but was disappointed to find only two cards left on a picked-over rack. Selecting one, he brought it home and, somewhat sheepishly, presented it...

Plan a day he'll remember. Father's Day is traditionally a day of breakfast in bed and carefully selected (but hardly ever worn) ties. Whether it's his first or his fifth, what can you do to make this Father's Day special? We've asked dads what would really make Father's Day great, and here's what they told us: 1. Eliminate the pressure. What Dad wants most is to have a day free from any pressure. Even the pressure of having a "perfect day." Dad would really appreciate no deadlines, no hassles, no chores, no having to fix anything, and no rushing about...