Don't put too much emphasis on buying your kid the latest 'cool' gift.

Upon hearing that our second child would be a boy, I walked out of the doctor's office, crossed 8th Avenue and stepped into a Mexican restaurant to drink something with tequila in it.

If you think the "sex" talk sounds uncomfortable, get ready. And if the "drugs and alcohol" talk makes your heart want to break, there's another doozy waiting out there.

"I think I just want to stay home tonight, Dad. You want to watch a movie here? Just you and me?" I went over to the couch he was lying on and felt my teenage son's forehead.

We have the power to shape another human being. That's a bit scary.

Being a real dad has nothing to do with blood lines. It has everything to do with commitment and love and understanding.

Our son is no less certain of his own name, or of the existence of his right hand, than he is of our presence in the house as he sleeps at night. This is a wonderful thing to give a child.