Tell Your Sons Stories – They Need Them
Read article"Dad, tell me a story from when you were young, something real from your life." "What do you want to hear?" "Anything." It's a great feeling when your son casually lets you know that you're already past your prime. Of course, I say that with a bit of humor. The important thing is that he’s interested in hearing stories from your life.
Show your sons they are heroes
Read articleLáďa Mašát, my karate coach, once gave me a cut off from a magazine. At that time, we were discussing the importance of male role models in the upbringing of young karate kids. We noticed that, in most cases, the children came to karate classes with their mothers, and we rarely encountered fathers waiting for their children. I am truly grateful for those fathers who attened with their kids.
Every Voice and Opinion Holds Equal Weight – Father’s and Son’s Alike
Read articleWhen a little boy grows into a young man, a junior, a teenager, his father should become more of a friend than just a parent. Stop constantly criticizing him, planning his every move, and giving endless commands. Some men might argue, “That’s nonsense, you need to keep a firm hand, or he’ll go wild.” Many of us repeat the mistakes of our own fathers, failing to adjust our parenting approach, staying stuck in the “alpha male” mindset: “As long as you live under my roof, you’ll listen to me.” “Once you have your own place, do whatever you want. Until then, shut up and fall in line.” Ouch.
For most kids, their dad is simply the BIG one
Read articleThe word "BIG" can mean different things to different people. Big like tall, huge, loud, always around, or just a big personality. Or maybe a bit of all of it. For kids, a dad is, in the best way, just a big dad. And that's what it's all about. A good dad has the power to change everything in the family. He can stir and light things up. And make sure the home is secure, so that the kids and the whole family feels safe.
Dad, how big are forest elves, actually?
Read articleThis question, with all its rightful seriousness, was blurted out by Luky while we were on our hike, and the whole family started asking me about all sorts of details from the elf forest. The world of elves? Oh, sure, you think it doesn’t exist? Well, you naïve people, of course, it exists.
What’s Your Tree? My Tree is the Beech.
Read articleWhat kind of question is that? You might think when reading this title. Why should I have a tree of my own? Trees are all around me, and they just are. Is that right? I don’t think so. Each of us has our own tree, and it’s been like this since ancient times. For example, my tree is the beech.
Children Know the Magical World of Druids
Read articleWhen I was little, I would always run around outside, behind the cottage, deep in the forest. All I needed was a wooden stick. I would dash around like crazy, striking at every bush in sight. I fought invisible enemies and danced triumphantly when I had vanquished them all. My wooden sword was no ordinary sword—it was magical, of course. It could burst into flames, cast ice spells, and summon my fellow warriors, who helped me fight countless secret forest battles and complete mysterious missions.
When You Cut Down a Tree, Do You Talk to It?
Read articleThis title might seem a bit misleading at first. How many of us have actually cut down a tree, right? I’d say, probably not many. If we ignore the foresters and woodcutters, most of us who have a tree on our property or at our cottage would prefer to leave it standing to block the view of passersby. But every once in a while, it becomes necessary to chop a tree down. Maybe it no longer bears fruit, is broken from a storm, or it’s starting to pose a danger to the people living in the cottage or homestead. And sometimes we just need to use the wood from the tree to keep warm, cook, or make sure we’re comfortable.
Why Do Trees Shed Tears?
Read article“Dad, why is that tree crying?” I remember this line from when we were walking near Hraniční Pond, not far from Kytlice, and I was taking pictures of resin dripping from a mighty spruce. When I looked around, I saw that many spruces were shedding tears.