Paul Jacobson

Tag: children

  • Whether you should bring children into this world

    Now and then I hear a couple discussing whether they want to bring children into this world. The world isn’t becoming safer, quite the opposite, and you can understand a couple’s reluctance to have children in these uncertain times.

  • Explaining terrorism to children

    Explaining terrorism to children

    The New York Times has a video feature about how a French children’s newspaper responded to kids’ questions about the recent Paris attacks by explaining terrorism to children. You should watch this if you are a parent.

  • Putting her feet up

    I love this shot of our daughter putting her feet up, literally, after a picnic at a local park today. https://flic.kr/p/udsz1o

  • Bureaucracy and South Africa’s new Immigration Act rules

    Bureaucracy and South Africa’s new Immigration Act rules

    I just read an interesting overview of South Africa’s new Immigration Act rules which have just kicked in which require international travelers entering and leaving South Africa to produce birth certificates and identity documentation for kids and parents. Two things stand out for me. The first is the administrative headache traveling to and from South Africa with…

  • Cracking the kiddie code

    Cracking the kiddie code

    I’ve been thinking about our kids and their quirks and triggers a little more lately. In one sense it’s always on my mind because we interact with them daily, obviously, but what I mean is that I have been thinking about the little opportunities to understand our kids better as if they represent codes we…

  • My daughter can be a princess if she wants to be

    My daughter can be a princess if she wants to be

    Rian wrote a thought-provoking post titled “Thoughts on being a terrible dad” which touches on something most parents probably feel: frustration at being told how to raise our kids: My daughters love princesses, and I sometimes tell them to be careful. According to the internet, this makes me a terrible father. And I’m getting a…

  • All for our kids

    I’ve just put our kids to sleep. My wife is at a meeting tonight so it was my chance to read them a bedtime story about a rhino and its compulsion to run everywhere before putting our daughter to bed first. I had a realisation while I listened to her breathing deeply that I’ve felt…

  • Happy Dads' Day!

    Today is Fathers’ Day in South Africa (and possibly for you too). I prefer “Dads’ Day” and this is my little greeting. I love being a Dad. Our kids’ arrival introduced an amazing dimension to my life which shifted priorities, focus and purpose. It has been a wild ride and although it isn’t always hugs…