dad

I was a Londoner and had recently accepted a job at a magazine in New York City. The new company paid for my father and me to fly to America so I could celebrate its relaunch, meet my editors, and search for apartments.Dad, then 69, was up for an adventure…

One year ago, I left my job to travel with my father. Neither of us had taken a vacation in years; he was a widower living alone, and I was a journalist who had prioritized my career for 25 years.A trip was something we had discussed after my mother unexpectedly…

My grandson has always been aloof with us. I tell myself it’s because he’s a pandemic baby and our bonding time was stolen. Why does my coming in for a hug make him feel uncomfortable? I assumed that my affection would be reciprocated by all of my grandkids. Wanting to…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Justin Murphy, 35, the co-owner of real estate brokerage Multi Gen Living Group. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.In 2022, my wife, Nicki, and I were living in Babcock Ranch, just outside of Fort Myers, Florida, with our…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rodney Rikai. It’s been edited for length and clarity.I’m 40 years old, and for my entire adult life, I’ve been a father.My youngest son is graduating from high school and heading to Morehouse College in Atlanta this fall. He’s interested in…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Alex Kessler, founder and CEO of Kess Toys and Entertainment, and Brian Kessler, chairman of the board at Kess Toys. It has been edited for length and clarity.My grandfather’s career started in a junkyard. He was a kid coming out of…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maia Storm, of Maia’s Makery. It has been edited for length and clarity.In January, my dad, with whom I have always had a strained relationship, died unexpectedly.For the last few years, my dad had been homeless on and off. Throughout that…

My 91-year-old West-Indian father, a wiry, 5″6′ US Army veteran with Alzheimer ‘s-related dementia, used to be far more cantankerous. He had even taken to frustrated cursing—something I’d never heard him do in the 55 years I’d been his son.But then I decided to smile at him.And I learned that…

“Pops, I love you!” my 6-year-old giggled as she launched herself into my dad for a bear hug. He hugged her back with a playful eye roll and a slightly exaggerated, “Oh yes, I love you too,” before pulling her in for tickles.I catch myself smiling every time I see…

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bo and Emily Petterson, of Dad Advice From Bo. It has been edited for length and clarity.Parents aren’t supposed to have a favorite child, but there’s no secret that Emily has always been mine. She’s the second youngest of my six…