Guest Dads

The Hawaiian term “‘ohana” is the central theme of Disney's “Lilo & Stitch” (one of our family favorites).

What made Annette stand out was the earnestness and genuine portrayal she gave: Annette was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary heart.

I have taken both our children down the sidewalk of Mainstreet U. S. A. and gestured up at Doc’s name. He was my surrogate grandfather, the only English-speaking one I ever had.

I watched Bambi and Simba grow up over the course of their respective movies, and it hit me: That was me up there. I was going to grow up, too.

Nicknames often are special; generally, they’re unique. Then there’s the one nickname to which you lose your identity, your class status, your ethnicity, and your educational background (but, unfortunately, not your weight or age):

Here are some things I’ve learned over the course of my time as a divorced dad, things that have helped make it possible to be close with my children even though I’m far away most of the time.

“Mary Poppins” is far more a story about fatherhood and good parenting than it is a tale about a magical and whimsical nanny.

It’s part of the Disney way of telling stories that movies like “Cool Runnings” make it easy to connect with my kids on topics that are important to us.

Released in 1976, “Gus” is the hilarious tale of a losing football team that catches a lucky break from an unlikely direction -- a field goal-kicking mule! It's a blast from the past --complete with top disco-era stars like Don Knotts, Tim Comway, and Ed Asner, not to mention polyester suits, mutton chop sideburns and Titanic-sized cars – ah, the ‘70s!

I felt I had done something right, and hopefully Emma will one day look back on that day the same way “Ariel” thought of moments spent with her own father – with wonder and love. Ariel not only made Emma’s day, but mine as well.