When Matt Damon stood on the stage of Saturday Night Live without a movie to promote, he was just a guy standing in front of a nation, telling a particularly affecting story of shared laughter with his late father, and how he’s now paying it forward with his own family. (Yes, we’re talking about SNL again, because this is the kind of “Dad Christmas” we can get behind.)
Damon, whose father passed away just before Christmas last year, explained how the holiday is now a mixed bag, the best of times and the worst of times in ugly sweaters. We get it.
This holiday season is a series of firsts, from new additions to fresh losses, and so many milestones between. There are dads with new jobs, old ghosts, potential and promise, melancholy and memories.
There are kids and dads sharing laughter, and those who wish they could.
Christmas is a wonderful time for many, some of whom will still be feeling the sting of aired grievances, and others who will know the warmth of love around them. Turns out, Santa has a lot in his bag.
All we can say is that we’re going to make Christmas as merry as we can make it, and we hope you and yours have a Very Merry Tuesday, too.
SUMMIT PEEKS
Earlier today, we announced Round 2 of our 2019 Speakers! For us, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, a compendium of old friends and new-to-us stars who share our passion to build fatherhood as a lifestyle that can fit every man. Welcome aboard.
Congratulations also to Mike Cruse, winner of our first Suite Upgrade giveaway at the Westin Riverwalk! We’ll have another drawing in mid-January, so perhaps you too will get the chance to come to San Antonio and SPREAD OUT.
IN THE NEWS
Family holidays and traditions are what you make them. Who you make them with is pretty important, too.
Is your math anxiety affecting your kids?
There’s always a play that can be made, and LeBron James knows it.
“The unfortunate reality is that it’s still too common for children to receive presents that are wrapped up in pervasive gender stereotypes.”
“Has protective parenting gone too far? Several high-profile news stories, along with increasing rates of childhood obesity, anxiety and depression, have sparked a movement encouraging parents to allow their children greater freedom.”
“As a parent and a teacher, I’ve seen concerns addressed in a productive, successful way, and I’ve seen them handled in a way that made everything worse.”
Teddy Roosevelt famously said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Possibly because he had six kids.
Charles Barkley and the late Lin Wang, role models.
The holidays can add to our parenting pressure(s), but they shouldn’t. In theory.
PORCHLIGHT POSTS
- “Let’s be outraged by something that actually matters for a change. There’s plenty to choose from.” – I’m Offended at Your Offense at the Offended, Jeremy Barnes
- “My brother was a teenager. He must know what was good. He had an insight into these things that I knew nothing about. He wouldn’t lie to me.” – Why I Love Every Star Wars Film, Tristan Radu
- “I get overcome with crippling guilt every time I do decide to indulge in some ‘me time.'” – Earning “Me Time” Without Guilt, Michael Kwan
- “You can imagine how children reacted. Some didn’t mind, thought it was fun. Some were scared. Some needed to talk about it.” – Earthquake Hastens Toddler Son’s First Man-to-Man Talk, Michael Jenks
- “It didn’t take much more than a couple of minutes, but there we were, represented on screen. “I had those Jordans when I was a kid!” “They’re speaking Spanish!” The film is full of moments that had us tearing up.” – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Review, Fan Dads
‘GRAM OF THE WEEK
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