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Tag: The Dad Speaks

The Dad Is Tired

Posted on 09/08/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Ever since we started doing midnight potty training with Niko, I have been getting less sleep and sleep for me is very important. But, as I say, I do what I have to do. I would much rather have me do the midnight potty training than Nina; Nina isn’t the best sleeper in the world…

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The Mom’s Birthday

Posted on 09/01/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Tomorrow is Nina’s birthday. So, to celebrate, I have a day off; I really like bank holidays. I was also off on Friday and my parents came over during Niko’s nap so we could have a date. The date wasn’t exciting as we went to Old Navy and Target. But, it was nice to get…

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Niko’s New Crib – Part 2

Posted on 08/25/201904/19/2025 by Mark

So, it’s been more than 3 weeks with his new bed and about 4 1/2 weeks of midnight potty training. And, both are going really well. He hasn’t yet gotten up in the middle of the night and roamed around his room. Sometimes, after we tuck him in his bed with 3 blankets, he throws…

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Sprinklerized

Posted on 08/18/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Even though we have a beautiful children’s pool, we have only gotten in it a a few times; mainly, because Niko won’t wear a bathing suit. Hopefully, next summer he will wear a bathing suit and we can enjoy the pools a lot more. To substitute a pool, I ask Niko if he wants to…

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Niko’s New Crib

Posted on 08/11/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Nina and I got a new king mattress from Purple on Tuesday, July 30th. And, our old king mattress will be Niko’s new crib. Yes, my 3 year old is going to have a king sized bed! Yes, this is is going to be a new experience for all of us as he will no…

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The Daddy Style – Part 3

Posted on 08/04/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Sometimes when I come home from work, Niko says that I look very nice. I always say thanks! My work uniform is blue jeans, a polo shirt, and nice work shoes. I can’t wear my daddy uniform to work, because most of the time the clothes I am wearing when I am at home with…

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Oh SH..

Posted on 07/31/201904/19/2025 by Mark

I have been doing really good with not cursing around Niko. Yeah, I curse a lot less than I used to. But, a few days ago, I almost said the SH word as Niko was sitting on my lap eating dinner. I am glad I stopped at the SH, because he immediately repeated the SH!

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The Dad Bribes

Posted on 07/28/201904/19/2025 by Mark

I know I am not the only dad who bribes their kid to do something. In my situation, the bribe is ice cream and the issue is clothes; most of the time!   Dad: Niko, if you take off your pajamas and wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt, I will get you ice cream….

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Niko Forts

Posted on 07/21/201904/19/2025 by Mark

This week, Niko has been very interested in forts. And, I am happy to help him build them; whether it be on the staircase landing or in the upstairs loft. Niko gets posters, tops of plastic bins, pillows, and blankets from the house supply. Now, these posters aren’t normal size; no, they are two of…

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Motherly Advice

Posted on 07/14/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Sometimes when I need advice for what to do with Niko, I am very glad that I can ask the mothers whom are my co-workers. They are experienced as most have kids older than Niko and I take in all the advice. Then, when the time is right for Niko and I, I do my…

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The Dad’s Library 2019

Posted on 07/07/201904/19/2025 by Mark

I can’t even remember the last paperback book I have read because it’s easier for me to read either on my phone or my Kindle. Everyday since last June when I purchased my Kindle, I have brought it to work and read before I login in the morning, my breaks, my lunch, and even the…

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Sometimes It’s Just Easier

Posted on 06/30/201904/19/2025 by Mark

As much as I love having Niko with me, sometimes it’s just easier when I do stuff alone. On Saturday’s, I take Niko somewhere without Nina; she stays home and cooks and cleans! No, I am kidding. She works her job as a stylist for Stitchfix.com. Plus, that is basically the only time she really…

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It Makes Me Sad

Posted on 06/23/201904/19/2025 by Mark

When Niko takes my phone from me and watches videos of us or looks at pictures of us, it always makes me sad. Because, if anything happens to me and I don’t come home, those pictures and videos will be Niko’s only memory of me. I know that soon his memories of me will be…

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Father’s Day

Posted on 06/16/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Ever since Niko was born 3 years ago, I haven’t been able to sleep in! During the week for work, I get up at 6 am and on the weekends, it is usually around 7:30 or 8 am and that depends when Niko wakes up. I let Nina get a few extra minutes of sleep…

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Great Expectations

Posted on 06/09/201904/19/2025 by Mark

After Niko goes to sleep in the crib for nighttime; I say crib for now, but in a few months, we will be getting him a big boy bed, I get to do all of my daddy/husband duties both upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs, I gather all the trash and all the food plates and drinks….

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What’s Easier?

Posted on 06/02/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Niko getting out of his pajamas? Right now, Niko absolutely refuses to take his pajamas off. These pajamas aren’t long pants and a long shirt; they are footed cotton pajamas that cover his entire body except his face and hand! He wears them all the time and the bottom of them have holes. When I…

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Autonomy

Posted on 05/26/201904/19/2025 by Mark

I know I have written about this, but I am going to do it again; and I don’t care if you have already read it. Niko’s at that age in his life where he wants to do things on his own and I allow him to do it, unless he can get hurt. I don’t…

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Niko’s New House

Posted on 05/19/201904/19/2025 by Mark

Well, we have been in our new house for a month and Niko is really enjoying everything about it. Don’t ask me how many times he goes up and down the stairs? Don’t ask me how many meals he has eaten outside; whether it be on the front porch or back porch? Don’t ask me…

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Assembling Things

Posted on 05/11/201904/19/2025 by Mark

I am not handy by any means, but I am proud to say that I assembled bookcases, a trash composter, a play kitchen, an outdoor table, and a night table. I am a very good direction follower and enjoy the end results. Yes, it’s challenging when Niko helps because he tends to take my screwdriver…

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The Unhealthy Dad

Posted on 05/01/201904/19/2025 by Mark

So now that my birthday and Niko’s birthday are over and we have been in our new house for a few weeks, it is time for me to start eating better. It’s not like I have been eating bad things and drinking lots of soda constantly and frequenting fast food restaurants. Just a few times,…

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Hi, I am Mark. I started writing in 2011 about high school football, daddy blogging since 2015, and reviewing books since 2023. My writing style is unique, my sense of humor is a little crazy, and I’m not embarrassed to share any of it. You can email me at thedadspeaks@icloud.com.

Book Reviews (289) High School Football (302) The Dad Speaks (639)

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