Bowling with Dad

"If horse racing is the sport of kings then surely bowling is....a very good sport also."

- Homer Simpson

I have to agree with Homer on this one. Bowling is a very good sport. It is unfortunate that it has achieved a reputation as the sport for fat beer swilling losers. I am thankful in some ways for the marketing genius that came up with glow bowling or disco bowling or whatever they call it in your town. You know how they turn the lights out, turn the black lights on, and pump up the music. Apparently these actions can turn a musty old bowling alley into teenage heaven. While this is terribly annoying if you are actually in the bowling alley, it has surely helped save the sport. Now at least it will be around long enough for me to take Braden out to the lanes.

Bowling has always been a part of my life. When I was a small child my Dad was a bowling machine. I remember sometimes going to the bowling lanes on league nights with him and my mom. The thing I remember most is getting Milky Way candy bars from the vending machine. I also remember one summer trip to St. Louis when my Dad and I spent the entire day at a bowling alley. We were killing time until the Cardinals game later that night, but I remember many details of the day bowling rather than the game. I can even tell you that I bowled a 156 one game and the name of the place was DuBowl Lanes. I think it is safe to say that I have always liked bowling.

Believe it or not bowling has played an even a bigger role than that in my life. After dinner on our very first date Arica and I went bowling. Obviously it went well. It was probably the view she had of me shuffling down the lane and hurling that big heavy ball that sealed the deal. After that we went on to marriage and a child. I wouldn't even be writing this blog about being a new dad without bowling.

Of course I can't wait to teach Braden how to roll a strike. I am sure at first he will use the bumpers, but just until he gets the hang of it. With such bowling genes in his blood he definitely won't need them for long.

Bowling is one of those beer drinking manly sports that I will always love. The list of bowlers who have inspired me is quite impressive. I hope to add mine and Braden's names to this list as well soon. It will be my Mt. Rushmore of Bowling...with an extra head.

My Dad, Al Bundy, Homer Simpson, Me, and Braden.

Fatherhood Lessons with Homer Simpson: Playing with Your Kids

Sometimes I am lost for blogworthy ideas about fatherhood. Inspiration is fleeting and I don't know where to turn. Much of my inspiration comes from TV or music. Greater men are probably inspired by historical figures like Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King. Others may be inspired by great authors or scientific studies, but that is not me. As Popeye says, "I am what I am." And I am inspired by Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Vedder, and sometimes even Homer Simpson.

Today's post will be a lesson from Homer about toys and playing with our kids. Watch the video and then read on for my dissection of Homer's teachings.


The first lesson here is that Dads should play with their kids as much as possible. One of our main jobs as fathers is to be the entertainment director for our children. The best way to do that is get right down on the floor with them. Get in their little world and play with their toys. There is no substitute for time spent with your children so follow Homer's lead and start playing.

The second lesson we can learn from Homer is that we don't have to buy the most expensive toys for our kids. If you have the means to buy every toy in the store then by all means do it. Kids, however, are not always entertained or occuppied with a toy box full of toys. Sometimes you have to use other things around the house for entertainment. I use water bottles and the remote control nearly every day. A box works great as well. As any parent knows, kids often like the box, bow, or wrapping paper much more than the actual gift that is found inside. Apply this theory to your everyday play time. I read yesterday over at my friend PJ's blog Real Men Drive Mini Vans that he recently used a box to lure his son back into the play area. He wondered if he was a bad father. I say heck no. You are a great dad.

Finally a lesson for all us dad's that are really just big kids. Never let the joy of playing with toys again lead you to an unhealthy attachment to said toys. We should never runaway with our kids toys like a crazed Homer hiding under the box. I know it is a great amount of fun to play with your kids. Sometimes I admit to having too much fun with Braden's toys and he is only a baby. I am sure I will get more than carried away when he gets older. I already covet the little Star Wars figures I see in Wal-Mart. No matter how much fun we have let's always remember it's about the kids.

My thanks to Homer Simpson for departing his wisdom on us today.