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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published: 12/26/2009 12:00:00 AM
Generally, I am not a huge fan of snow. I like it when it is actually snowing (up to an inch or two). I stop liking it when I have to drive in it, it gets slushy, or when it gets all tracked up. Although I always say I would like a white Christmas, I actually am hoping for nothing more than a dusting.
Needless to say, I was not terribly excited when it started ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 12/19/2009 12:00:00 AM
When my wife started asking me several weeks ago what I want for Christmas, I gave her a blank stare. I really hadn’t thought about it and couldn’t think of anything off the top of my head. As the weeks have crept by, and my wife has continued to ask the same question, I have struggled to come up with an answer. Last night, it hit me and now I know exactly what I want ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 12/12/2009 12:00:00 AM
Why Do We Label?
Father
Husband
Brother
Uncle
Teacher
Coach
Scout Leader
Photographer
Writer
I, like most people, have been assigned a variety of labels. These labels are used to help others describe who I am. I am aware of most of my labels. I am proud of most of the labels that have been attached to my name, but some I am not. I am sure people use other labels, labels that are not ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 12/5/2009 12:00:00 AM
Last Christmas, my wife and I had to make a decision that we hoped we would never face: whether or not to give one of our children coal for Christmas.
My youngest son had a rough year last year, both at school and at home, and unfortunately my wife and I, as well as his teachers used the old “Santa Clause is watching” and “Santa will bring you coal” threat just a little too often ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 11/28/2009 12:00:00 AM
For nearly twenty years (we have been married almost 15 years, and we dated for five years before we got married), my wife and I have enjoyed two “dinners” on Thanksgiving. We start off at my parent’s house and eat the “early” dinner and then we go to my in-laws for the “late” dinner. For the last twenty years, the menu, as well as, the routine has stayed the same. Sure, there are the occasional ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 11/21/2009 12:00:00 AM
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Although I love getting together with family, enjoying a day of good food, and getting a break from the commercialism that surrounds so many holidays, Thanksgiving can get a little crazy for my family. The majority of my family, as well as my wife’s family, still lives in the Kansas City area and everyone wants to get together for the holiday. This means that my ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM
Recently, I had the opportunity to sleep outside with 35 of my high school students in an effort to raise awareness to the problem of teenage homelessness and homelessness in general. For the most part my students were great (I wish the adult chaperones were as well behaved). They found this to be a powerful and moving experience as they had to build shelters out of cardboard boxes, set up “camp” and then sleep out ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 11/7/2009 12:00:00 AM
Needless to say, it is never enjoyable to hear your children cry out during the night, only to go in and find out they have thrown-up all over their bed. I was reminded of just how miserable this is last night when my wife and I heard our two-year old daughter start to cry around 11:00. We both went in to find vomit covering her bed, her pajamas, and smeared in her hair. My wife ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 10/31/2009 12:00:00 AM
I had the distinct pleasure of attending two sets of parent-teacher conferences this week. As a teacher, I had to sit through two days of conferences. Then on Friday, I got to change hats, turn into a parent and attend my own children’s parent-teacher conferences. I will be honest with you; I really don’t like parent-teacher conferences, either as a teacher or a parent.
Now I consider myself a down-to-earth guy and I think I ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 10/24/2009 12:00:00 AM
A couple of weeks ago, my children’s elementary school offered a “homework class” for parents. The point of the class was to provide parents with helpful tips, suggestions, and strategies for dealing with their children when it is homework time. I was not planning on attending the class, falling back on my usual excuses of being too busy, not having enough time and not really wanting to go. I changed my mind though when I ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM
As a father of three, it is safe to say that I do not make it too many movies. When you factor in the cost, the time involved, the age of my kids, and their ability (or lack there of) to sit still for an extended period of time, going to the movie theatre is not something we do often. It really takes a special occasion, such as a birthday party, or a special movie ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM
1605 mile trip in less than 72 hours, a high-energy six-year-old boy, bad weather, and a two-and-a-half-hour wait in the waiting room, all for 15 minutes with the doctor.
Roughly four times a year, my son and I drive from our home in Kansas City to Royal Oak, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit to visit his eye surgeon. Sometimes the entire family makes the trip and we try to make a vacation out of it, ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 10/3/2009 12:00:00 AM
One of my favorite parts of being a dad is story time, that fifteen to thirty minutes before bedtime when the kids climb up on my lap and I break out a “favorite” book to read. It has never really mattered what book(s) my children select, although there are definitely some children’s books I enjoy more than others, it is the fact that we get a few minutes to snuggle together and share the joy ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 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). ...
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by: James Wilcox
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published: 9/19/2009 12:00:00 AM
Now that the school year is in full swing and we know the practice, scouts, and after-school schedule, I can honestly say, I do not have time to do anything. Literally, I can’t find the time. No, seriously, don’t ask me to do anything else or ask if I have time to do something. I don’t have the time. I really don’t.
I get up at 5:45 during the week and at work by 6:45. ...
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by: James Wilcox