James Wilcox
A master of whatever is required by the day! A high school social studies teacher, published author, father of 3, stay home Mr. Mom during the summer and being an attentive husband are just a few things that keep James on his toes. In his spare time James is a writer and photographer. Before returning to school for his Master's Degree in Education James was a photo journalist for the Independence Examiner. James is active in FIRE (Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education) and is actively involved at the CCVI (Children's Center for the Visually Impaired). He is also busy learning braille with his son Nathan who lives with the effects of ROP, Nathan was a micro-preemie who was born at 24 weeks gestation. James and his family live in Kansas City. To Read about James' book, "Sex, Lies and the Classroom," or order your own copy, visit JamesPWilcox.com
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Who Goes Where
by: James Wilcox
published on: 9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM
How do you decide who goes where when your children have two soccer games at the same time? Although we are only three weeks into our boy’s soccer season, they have played at the same time all three weeks. It is bad enough that the games have been at 8:00 and 9:15, which is way too early to be up and about on a Saturday morning (who am I kidding, we would be up anyway). If I am going to be up that early, I should at least be able to see both of my boys’ games. So far, my wife and have had to rotate, switch back and forth, in an effort to be fair. It may be fair, but it isn’t very satisfying, for any of us. I know that my wife and I would love to see both games. My boys have made it perfectly clear that each wants both mom and dad at there game and although they made say they understand after we explain why that can’t happen, I can see the disappointment on their faces.
It doesn’t get any easier when you factor in the flag-football schedule. The boys have played at the same time for the past two weeks. My wife and I can’t even rotate these games because I am the coach of my youngest son’s team. I didn’t really want to coach for this very reason, but none of the other dads volunteered, so I got “stuck” with it. Don’t get me wrong, I love coaching the team, but I hate missing my oldest boy’s games. I have even used the “I am your Scout leader, but I am not his, so I will be his football coach to make everything fair” argument. Again, he says he understands, but I can still see the disappointment in his eyes.
So, how do you decide who goes where when all the schedules conflict, without disappointing one or more of your children? I haven’t found the answer yet, but I have at least four more “Soccer Saturdays” and “Flag-Football Sundays” to find out.
tagged with: Fatherhood
Scheduling
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