Professional Dad - All Comments

re: What would you have done?

Rochelle Fritsch — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:10:58 GMT

Hey Mike...Thanks for writing such a thought-provoking article; and to be honest with you, I don't know what i would have done.

Something tells me I would've pulled over someplace, hopefully gotten home safely & then kicked myself for not doing anything. Not a good answer, but a truthful one.

But I think your article comes along at the perfect time. Halloween's gaining on New Year's eve as party time around here, so maybe this post will help increase people's awareness of responsible alcohol use.

re: What would you have done?

Heather Dorsey — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:30:18 GMT

Like you guys I've also experienced this. When my daughter was not even a year old I was driving home. She was screaming in that way only hungry, tired babies can and I couldn't get home fast enough. I saw a driver swerving in and out of his lane ahead of me and then he got it together and drove straight as could be. He must have been very proud of himself. Only problem was he was on the wrong side of the road and we were approaching a hill--where people would be blindly coming up the other side!

I called 9-1-1 and held my breath waiting for him to have a head-on collision. Mercifully, noone was driving up the hilll at that time. I followed him for about eight miles, past the turn for my road, telling the 9-1-1 operator "he's turning right; now he's going left on Main street."

He pulled in a parking spot for a local bar (no kidding!) where the police were waiting and took it from there. I told them I had to get my children home to bed (my daughter still screaming this whole time; talk about stressful!) They came to my house that evening. I later had to testify what I had seen in court. This nice old man greeted me when he saw me walk in the courtroom. I never found out what happened to him; but I felt good that perhaps I had saved a life that night. Possibly his as well.

re: What would you have done?

Karen Waldkirch — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:58:42 GMT

Mike, we just experienced something similar. We were driving home from Indiana and there was a large tour bus that was swerving into other lanes. I'm not sure that the driver was impaired or just inexperienced. I wished that there was a number I could have called to alert police. I have, in the past, called 911 when I saw something dangerous. Unfortunately, the few times I've done that, the person either left the highway or I got a strange response from the 911 operator. It's a tough call, but I think it's probably better to call than not call.

re: Online Grocery Shopping

Linda Mulholland — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:57:05 GMT

Huh! I may have to try Peapod. Has anyone checked into the price differences between the grocery store and Peapod? The gas savings alone may make it cheaper. The time saving aspect also appeals to me. Today is double coupon day at Pic N Save, though - I do love that!

re: Online Grocery Shopping

Rebecca Christman — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:55:45 GMT

Mike, I LOVE Peapod. I mean, I really love it. I, too, was skeptical, but I tried it last winter when I thought it was too cold to bring the baby outside. I frequently announce how I will never set foot in a grocery store again. Easy ordering, fresh produce, pleasant delivery drivers, reasonable prices and you always get coupons. Once, and only once, there was one broken egg in a carton. I called to mention it and they credited me a new carton. Simple, easy, time-saving, gas-saving and good fresh food on top of that ... I can't say enough good things about it!

re: Online Grocery Shopping

Mike Brickl — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:53:34 GMT

Yup, it was Peapod. It does seem decadent to have groceries delivered to my door, but if it makes my live easier some day, I may consider it. When I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s, my dad was a milkman, (yes, I'm the milkman's kid). And he delivered milk, ice cream and other dairy products to people, so I guess that's not much different.

re: Online Grocery Shopping

Karen Waldkirch — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:21:33 GMT

Mike, I got the same brochure - it was from Peapod, right? I've often considered ordering online, but it seemed so decadent. I also dislike grocery shopping - perhaps because I'm not a good planner. I think if it saves you time and frustration you should consider it!

re: Dum Dums on the Carpet

Meg McKenna — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:02:18 GMT

Hey, Mike,

That's cute. I like your title. I conjurged up the voice of the talking Aztec wall sculpture who loved bubble gum in "Night at the Museum." "Dum-dum." uk.youtube.com/watch

I started my kids out young trading the bucket of candy for a trip to a resale toy shop. Just an idea: just a few pieces of candy and a toy shopping trip.

re: Dum Dums on the Carpet

Linda Mulholland — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:15:18 GMT

Haha- Lucky that Dum Dum didn't end up on the bottom of your foot!

If left to his own devices, Andrew would have eaten all of the candy in his Halloween bag. So, the day after Halloween, I rationed - in the lunchbox, a little after school and as a homework treat, etc. He has now decided that he is too old to trick or treat and wants to answer the door in a scary mask instead. Enjoy these fun years!!

re: Dum Dums on the Carpet

Karen Waldkirch — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:47:40 GMT

You know it's funny Mike. My kids love sweets, but for some reason, I ended up eating the leftover Halloween candy when they were younger. It sat on the counter for days until I finally took it into the office to get it out of the house! I used to wonder whether I would have fared better putting buckets of candy around the house on a regular basis. It's as if they didn't want it when it was plentiful, but scarfed it down when it was rationed.

re: Bed Jumping

Dawn Albrecht — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:10:10 GMT

I admit it! I got sucked in! Now I'm trying to think of when I'll be in a hotel room w/out my kids so I can try. I don't want to give my kids any ideas!!!

Thanks for the comic relief!

Dawn

re: Bed Jumping

Karen Waldkirch — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:24:40 GMT

I love this! Although, I'm not sure I'd let young kids see it - might give them ideas, right?

And who cares if it's a waste of time? Isn't that exactly what the internet is built upon?

Great post, Mike!

re: Grocery Store Adventures

Lisa Holewa — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:20:32 GMT

I love this, and I'll try to keep it in mind it the next time my child's enthusiasm "interferes" with my plan -- thanks for the great reminder!

Lisa

re: New Shoes Blues

HugsNKisses — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:01:17 GMT

Hey Mike,

Poor Jack, letting go of those favorite shoes is hard.

What we do with Kaylee (my 3 year old daughter), is make a big deal about going and getting new shoes. When we get to the store, she gets to look around and pick out a few pairs that she likes. Then she tries them on, and in the end she gets to pick out her favorite pair. When it comes time to wear them she is so excited about the new ones, that she has forgotten about the old ones that she liked so much! Maybe that is just a "girl" thing, but might be worth a try next time you look for new shoes.

For now, all I can say is Good Luck, eventually Jack will wear the new ones.