This is a guest post from Andy Earle. Andy Earle is a researcher who studies parent-teen communication and adolescent risk behaviors. He is the co-founder of talkingtoteens.com, ghostwriter at WriteItGreat.com, and host of the Talking to Teens podcast, a free weekly talk show for parents of teenagers. Take it away, Andy! Parenting is already a tough gig. But if you’re unprepared for your teen to come out as non-binary, it will get exponentially harder. Not understanding what it means for your teen to be non-binary, or how to deal with it, can seriously hurt the relationship between you ..read more

Christmas Porgs in bad hotel lighting. My wife and I are at a hotel getting ready this morning. We went to see my favorite comedian Trevor Noah last night. Like many people, I aways feel a bit playful at a hotel. I don’t know why. Maybe because you don’t have to make your bed? Maybe because you don’t know anyone around you? No mail, pets, phone calls? For whatever reason, I’m feeing goofy and getting ready. I put on a new Christmas t-shirt replete with 3 adorable and mischievous Porgs decorating – or undecorating, it’s not clear – their very own Christmas tree. Hilarity ensues, obviously. So ..read more

Tonight, while my wife was packing, she asked me to fix her nice Swarovski crystal earrings for her. There was a moment after she asked me – before I said yes – where she doubted my abilities. At least that’s what I thought when she said, “I guess I can do it.” “What do you mean?” I asked while my own insecurities ran wild. Does she think I am not capable of lining up the jewel properly? Does she think I don’t have the needed super glue skills? Oh, I can super glue the hell out of that little earring. My wife confirmed that she did indeed believe I could so it and that I “would do a fine job o ..read more

I realized today that the next post I write will be my 200th – in other words, this one. Wow. Happy 200th! Here are some observations from me on this momentous occasion: Writing is good for me. Sometimes it is easy. Other times it is almost impossible. But it is always good for me. There are instances when I intend to write for you, and then there are times when I think I am writing for me. Frequently I am incorrect on the distinction. I am not as unique as I thought when I started this blog. My first post was on January 13, 2012. Almost 7 years ago. I started the blog, at least in part ..read more

What’s up, Bots? I hope you had a lovely Veterans’ Day, and if you are a veteran, thank you for your service. Today I have been busy getting things done. First physical therapy (three times a week now), which basically means that I pay people to hurt me. A lot. As I am struggling through another push from the therapist to increase the bend in my knee, I frequently look over at other patients who appear to be getting some sort of therapeutic massage. Why – oh – why does my therapy have to hurt so badly? Oh, that’s right. I had a total knee replacement that went horribly wrong. After almost a ..read more

Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on what I’d like to accomplish and focus on this year. Perhaps this extended period of navel gazing is because of my fever, or lack of sleep (I’ve got pneumonia). Whatever the reason, I appreciate the renewed focus. Like many of you, the new year brings me thoughts of renewal. A chance for personal evolution! Perhaps also like most of you, this kind of thinking never works. My resolutions to evolve fall into two categories: 1. Impossible to maintain. “I will not eat any fast food.” “I will work out everyday.” “I won’t spend any money on iTunes ..read more