Dear Lesser Parent, I see you at the park, distracted by your iPhone, yelling at your kids, not caring whether your kid is laughing or crying or feeling emotionally abandoned by your lesser … [Read More...] about Letter From A Better Parent
Main Content
The Economics Song
Happy Holidays! I am delighted to share The Economics Song, set to the tune of Adam Sandler's "The Hanukkah Song," with references to many of your … [Read More...] about The Economics Song
Have You Written Your Letter From Dad?
The holidays are here. Have you written your Letter from Dad yet? Don't worry, you still have time. The holiday season is a time for joy and … [Read More...] about Have You Written Your Letter From Dad?
Announcing The Formal Fridays Book
We did it! My co-author Nathan Koterba and I published a book! The book is called Formal Fridays: 60+ Strategies for Standing Out & Getting … [Read More...] about Announcing The Formal Fridays Book
When Do Punishments Become Too Extreme?
Here's the situation: Your child isn't listening. He's disobeying, he's hitting his sister, he's screaming and acting like a little monster. You … [Read More...] about When Do Punishments Become Too Extreme?
Have You Ever Had A Great Coach?
Have you ever had a great coach? The kind that inspired you, and taught you to be the best competitor you could be? The kind that maybe also … [Read More...] about Have You Ever Had A Great Coach?
Tracking Life Finances In A Single Spreadsheet
They say it's not what you earn, it's what you keep. There's some truth to that in terms of growing net worth. But how do you figure out … [Read More...] about Tracking Life Finances In A Single Spreadsheet
The “No Yelling Rule”
As a parent, I sometimes lose control and yell at my kids (shocking, I know!). I’m not proud of it. In fact, I get a bit ashamed of it, especially … [Read More...] about The “No Yelling Rule”
Why I Always Root For My Son’s Favorite Sports Team
Like many kids his age, my son takes his sports very seriously, always putting 100% enthusiasm behind his favorite teams. And Boston is a serious … [Read More...] about Why I Always Root For My Son’s Favorite Sports Team
Training For A Marathon With 4 Kids Under 10
For our ten-year anniversary, my wife signed us up for a marathon. A chance to run together, to train together, maybe even suffer a bit together. And … [Read More...] about Training For A Marathon With 4 Kids Under 10
Is Your Kitchen This Clean?
Take a moment to imagine your kitchen before having kids. It was probably spotless. Crystal clean. Glowing, even. You could probably see your own … [Read More...] about Is Your Kitchen This Clean?
I Wear AirPods While Watching My Kids: Hear Me Out
I think we can safely file this one under #controversial. An alternative title might be: "In Defense of (Occasional) Distracted Parenting." Kindly … [Read More...] about I Wear AirPods While Watching My Kids: Hear Me Out
The Arc Of Your Career
Lately, I’ve been thinking about The Arc of a Career, the different phases of work over our lives and how we can focus on what’s most important in … [Read More...] about The Arc Of Your Career
Sending Sweet Letters To Your Kids
When was the last time you sent a handwritten letter to your child? Last week? Last year? Ever? There's something powerful about handwritten … [Read More...] about Sending Sweet Letters To Your Kids
The First Fundamental Theorem of Family Size
Also known as: "N-1 Kids Was Easy, But N Kids Is Hard!" My wife and I have 4 children. And you have no idea how many times I’ve said something … [Read More...] about The First Fundamental Theorem of Family Size
Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset
We all know about asset protection. Protect against risk, protect against the downside, protect against the unknown. But are you really protecting … [Read More...] about Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset
I Thought Sleep Was For The Weak, But I Was Wrong
"Sleep is for the weak, don't you agree?" I used to write this snippet at the bottom of my work emails whenever I worked past midnight. Bonus … [Read More...] about I Thought Sleep Was For The Weak, But I Was Wrong
Investment Outlook: Stay Long and Strong in Real Estate
Where to invest these days? It’s a tough question. The stock market seems overvalued, housing prices have increased substantially over the last few … [Read More...] about Investment Outlook: Stay Long and Strong in Real Estate
Your Life As A Random Process
My most important life lesson from graduate school was in time series econometrics. Wait -- what?? Yes, you read that right, folks. Here's what I … [Read More...] about Your Life As A Random Process
Hunting the Elk
As a father, I feel a deep responsibility to provide for my family. My wife and I have four kids, and they depend on me. I can’t just decide to lay … [Read More...] about Hunting the Elk
Help Wanted for a Third Parent (Nanny Diaries)
A few months ago, we had a tough few weeks with our nanny care. It started with a few sick days, a few last-minute cancellations. Nothing that … [Read More...] about Help Wanted for a Third Parent (Nanny Diaries)
What Is Your Drop-Off Mantra?
When you drop your kids off at school, what do you say to them as they leave the car? Think about this: your words at drop-off are your last nuggets … [Read More...] about What Is Your Drop-Off Mantra?
How To Teach A Lesson To Your Child’s Class
Have you ever taught a lesson to your child's class at school? It's a fun experience. Surely you have something interesting to say. After all, … [Read More...] about How To Teach A Lesson To Your Child’s Class
How To Win Any Negotiation With Your Child
Here’s the situation: You need your child to do something important -- finish her homework, clean his room, get dressed, mow the lawn, write thank-you … [Read More...] about How To Win Any Negotiation With Your Child
Living the Life of Your Dreams
An old fishing parable goes like this (retelling the story here from memory): A businessman goes to visit a local fisherman in a vacation … [Read More...] about Living the Life of Your Dreams
A Golden Day
Today is a Golden Day. A day where formal work commitments are low, where the kids are being watched, where I can go out on my own. To read, to … [Read More...] about A Golden Day
Trading Off Your Kids’ Well-Being
As an economist, I'm always thinking about trade-offs. Do I consume good X, or good Y? Do I invest in option A, or option B? Do I devote time and … [Read More...] about Trading Off Your Kids’ Well-Being
My Mid-Life Crisis
It sounds cliche, but I think I had a mid-life crisis this year. I turned 35 late last year and began to dwell on this basic fact: I might be halfway … [Read More...] about My Mid-Life Crisis
How To Make Hard Life Choices
How do we make hard life choices? Have you ever really thought about it? Every once in a while, we face a big choice that impacts our lives in a … [Read More...] about How To Make Hard Life Choices
Love You, Support You, Teach You
In our house, we teach three basic responsibilities that we, as parents, have to our kids: Love you Support you Teach you Ultimately, … [Read More...] about Love You, Support You, Teach You
Missing the Kids’ Concert
Here I am, sitting in the DC airport, just 5 minutes from when the kids' winter piano recital is supposed to begin. I've been traveling Monday to … [Read More...] about Missing the Kids’ Concert