When we were bringing up our boys in the eighties it was in vogue to suggest that boys and girls are trained to be the sex they represent by people’s expectations and gender manipulations. Almost anyone my age believed it. I carefully watched my own ...read more
My wife said in a loud voice, “Someone’s got to take Melodie to school, she’s missed the bus”. I immediately volunteered for a number of reasons. Firstly, to help my wife who was working to a tight deadline in the office. Secondly, because I neede ...read more
Many years ago I received a message on the Dads4Kids answering service from a man in the middle of a marriage breakdown. It was a deep cry for help. His voice was quiet and determined and he alluded to the fact that he wanted to take his own life. I ...read more
We celebrate International Men’s Day on Saturday 19 November 2016, but the next day, on 20 November 2016, we celebrate World Children’s Day. If you ask me which day is the greater I would say the second one because as Roland Leonhardt said, “Children ...read more
Only thirteen more sleeps to one of the most exciting days of the year for us egocentric men besides Father’s Day. Don’t worry, I am only kidding about International Men’s Day being egocentric. After all, I was the guy who helped write the song, “It’ ...read more
VISIT FROM THE MARRIAGE AUDITOR Imagine you received a phone call that went something like this: "Mr & Mrs Herald, we need to make an appointment with you to do a 'Marriage Audit'. Can we make it 8.00pm tonight? Thank you. See you at 8.00pm." ...read more
A great poet once said, “Love is a many-splendored thing”. Whilst many of us would agree with Shakespeare, it seems that many would also agree with Eric Clapton when he sings, “Why does love got to be so sad?” Or maybe you feel more like the Eddie Ve ...read more
What is it about us men? But maybe I am just talking to myself here. So sorry for bringing you into it. I have always had this attitude. It’s called ‘separation of duties’. Sort of like saying to my wife, “You do your job and I will do mine”. My wife ...read more
Many years ago I made a speech with my wife at a function in Parliament House, Canberra on the importance of mothers and fathers. Our goal was to encourage both the Liberal and Labor parties to value equally mothers and fathers after divorce, and not ...read more
Alison and I have always been passionate about having a good marriage and supporting and encouraging marriages everywhere. That passion is not getting weaker but it is getting stronger as we get older. Maybe my main motivation is the pain I experienc ...read more
