My Apologies for the Delay...

Hi Max!

We had another terrific day today! We played in the morning before you went to school and then I got to pick you up after school. I asked where you wanted to eat and you said, "Buffalo." I knew that meant Buffalo Wild Wings and you don't go there for the food, you go there for the games. What a great concept for a restaurant! Make the experience great for kids and the parents will follow. If they just did free kids meals Wednesday's or something... we'd go every week! =0) 

Sorry for the delay (can you believe it has been over 60 days since my last post?). It is quite powerful getting to actually talk WITH you instead of just write to you. You are so fun to be around! 

I just read this article and it made me sad --> http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/you-just-broke-your-child.html/2/. 

I am so glad we hang out, play baseball or soccer, play "get me" which is your favorite game in which I chase you around the house and tackle and hug you. So blessed to have the opportunity to sepnd a lot of time with you and help raise you. You hate to be disciplined, but please know it is for your own good. You will think us some day for that. You got told no tonight when you wanted to play in the water instead of going to bed - when you are tired, you get cranky (but you are getting better - it's great to watch you learn and mature!). But we stood our guns and guess what? In two minutes you were fine. 

Remind me to tell you how proud of you I am. I promise to write sooner next time. 

Love you. 

Blessings, 

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. You're awesome. 

The Board of Education and My Seat of Learning...

Hi Bay-Bee!

I feel you kicking! I know you are anxious to get out of there and stretch your legs, but just wait 85 more days! Mama and Papa are anxious as well.

Tim Chin and I had our weekly radio show, Bizz Buzz Live (see more and listen Live at http://www.bizzbuzzlive.com/) today. I look forward to this every Saturday. Sometimes it is because of the guests or the topics, but it's always because of Tim's great stories. His father made a big impact on him with something that could have made a big impact on him. :)

His father had a hobby of wood working to go with his preaching and teaching. One day, Tim's father shaped a piece of wood into a flat paddle shape. Easy to hold at one end and complete with air holes to decrease air resistance, this board was made for paddling. The engraving said it all, Board of Education. Tim's father would say that if he had any problems with Tim that he was going to apply the Board of Education to Tim's Seat of Learning. To emphasize the threat, Tim's father was smart enough to hang this paddle by the back door where the kids would exit to play ball or head to school. Tim's father was a wise man. Tim says that his father very rarely had to go to the Board of Education.

My brother, Brian, made a similar paddle. It was baseball bat shaped, except thinner. It also had air holes for speed. My brother made this of course after he had learned a few lessons. He made it for my brother, Rob, and me. Wasn't that nice? My brother also had an inscription on this board. It said "SCRAM". My father thankfully never had to use this board because I would have had a heck of tattoo to explain in gym class! SCRAM on my backside would take some explaining. Ouch!

We're going to try to get by without spanking. There are a lot of debates out there - spanking vs. not spanking, the best ways to discipline, reward vs. punishment, re-direct vs. directly correcting, etc. I honestly don't know which way to go, but if our time with Patrick is any indication, it will be by directly correcting and then discussion. Takes patience, but is more in line with my personality. We'll see. Which way do you think is the best way to get a child to behave?

To Your Success,

Bay-Bee's Papa (Michael)