Category Archives: Family

The Gift of Imperfection: Parenting Beyond the Myth of Infallibility – Hero or Editor

Reflections on the contrast between childhood perceptions of parental perfection and adult realizations about the value of authenticity in parenting. By embracing vulnerability and openly discussing mistakes, parents can model resilience and growth for their children. This approach fosters emotional resilience and emphasizes that personal development is more important than an image of flawlessness.

Why I Started Blogging Again: A Journey Through Parenthood

The author reflects on the evolving parent-child relationship and their motivation to blog. Each parenting stage is likened to a driving metaphor, highlighting a shift from control to independence as children grow. Blogging serves as a legacy, allowing the author to share insights with their adult children while also learning from them.

Family Strategic Planning: Developing Our Mission and Core Values

Years ago, strategic planning was crucial for my business, but I neglected it for my family. A wake-up call from my mentor led me to develop our family’s Mission and Core Values. Drawing from business experience, we reversed engineered our Mission and identified seven core values, ultimately transforming our family’s direction and culture.

The Gift of Reflection: What Happens If You Write Down What Someone Means to You?

On my youngest child’s 18th birthday, I handed him three small notebooks, continuing a family tradition. For a year, I wrote daily entries reflecting on the recipient, chronicling what I loved and admired about them. I had previously done something similar for my spouse and his siblings.

This practice became a personal journey of growth, deepening my appreciation for my loved ones and strengthening our bonds. For my children, the notebooks also captured their transformation from adolescence to adulthood.

Why I Referenced Anne Frank to My Kids As They Start School

Two of our three kids have already started school. Those two are Gabe and Owen who will be in separate schools for the first time in 8 years. That breakup with them also means all three will be in different schools for the first time. Ever. The kids being gone inevitably means that we willContinue reading “Why I Referenced Anne Frank to My Kids As They Start School”

Leadville 2016 – Post-Race Report

We have a debt to those before us and an obligation to those that come after us. We maximize life and potential through heart, intelligence, and grit. We focus on our bond. We do all of this together because we are always stronger together. Mostest. — Porter Family Mission Statement In August 2015, I had theContinue reading “Leadville 2016 – Post-Race Report”

Five Questions for Family Dinner.

When it was time for dinner, Courtney and I sit with our kids and want to know how each of their days was. Sometimes, a child would just utter “Fine”, “ok”, etc. and want to move on. Other times, a child would be so excited that others wouldn’t have a chance to share their day.Continue reading “Five Questions for Family Dinner.”

Children As Truth and Inspiration

A number of family and friends know this story already. It’s time to write it down for posterity’s sake and because I hope Avery will read it one day. As many people know and talked about in a previous post, I have lost a bit of weight the past 2 years (from 199 lb toContinue reading “Children As Truth and Inspiration”

Dear TiVo, We Had Some Good Times But I Need to Move On

In November 2006, we purchased a high definition Panasonic 42″ plasma television for our family room. Our crappy 22 inch TV was developing dark spots and fading. Courtney wanted a panel television due to the odd layout of our family room. I am far from a videophile or audiophile – hell, I can not evenContinue reading “Dear TiVo, We Had Some Good Times But I Need to Move On”