Having two young kids I have been to my share of kiddie birthday parties. Some are for the kids of my close friends while other invites come from my kids’ classmates. Whenever we gathered with our close friends to celebrate the birthdays of their lovely kids, my spouse would greet the mothers of the birthday girl or boy in a seemingly confusing way. Our friends are accustomed to it now, but at first it caused them a second or two of confusion. “Happy birth day,” he would say.

Mom takes kids to the store with backpack in tow filled with water bottles, snacks, and toys. Kids start whining. -1 pt (this mom needs to try harder) Dad walks into store, arms swinging freely, with kids still in PJs. +3 pts (this dad is devoting precious time to be with his kids) Mom wakes kids, dressed them, feeds them, combs their hair and takes them to school. 0 pts (that’s what a mom is supposed to do) Dad drives kid to school and kisses her goodbye. +5 pts (loving dad

September is back to school season. For many it signals the transition from summer vacation and camps to another grade level in school. For a few it is less a transition and more a new beginning. I think of all the changes in our family over the last five years, and wonder about the changes ahead. This month my five-year-old entered kindergarten, and it was a true moment of reflection as I thought about how much she is developing, growing and learning. I think about the clich