R. Justin Freeman
Bio
Rambler slowing so my kids can start rambling. Done everything from cattle ranching to law enforcement, clergy work to retail, writing to living in Canada's far north. I try to let all of it inform my writing, but current focus is SaHDs.
Stories (11/0)
What's Your Emergency?
There’s little more bracing than the thought of your child being in a situation in which they’re forced to call 9-1-1, but avoiding the thought will only ensure ill-preparedness if the time ever comes. The act can be daunting even for some adults, so it’s important to give kids a framework to work through in what will assuredly be a high-stress situation. Today I’d like to walk you through teaching kids how to call 9-1-1 so you can walk them through it.
By R. Justin Freeman6 days ago in Families
Tattered Tomes and Time Travel
One of my most treasured possessions is a tattered hardback copy of Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pierce. With the gold spine lettering dim from library use, it was a small miracle I discovered it in the first place. I can't recall the circumstances which led my feathering fingers to it, but I bless them, because it has been a mental keepsake ever since.
By R. Justin Freeman4 months ago in Families
How to Pregnancy Test as a Guy
Few among us relish test taking. Exams don't make many warm fuzzies waft into your mind, I imagine. Actively trying to conceive, though, will likely make testing start to factor in at some point. There's ovulation testing, pregnancy testing, tests to test for testing.
By R. Justin Freeman4 months ago in Families
Strong Foundations for Toddlers
“Dash blash labba dunlap!” The baby monitor has spoken. My toddler is awake. Thus begins the parenting day. There are feeds and a sendoff as Mama goes to work, dance parties in the living room, baby parkour exhibitions on the sectional, frenzied chores with a baby monitor on my hip, pleadings for focus at mealtimes, alternately protecting dogs and toddler from the other’s excessive exuberance, efforts to diaper the twenty pound flopping fish that looks strikingly like my little girl on the change table.
By R. Justin Freeman4 months ago in Families
A Guy Called Me a Homemaker and I Didn't Even Hit Him or Nothin'
This summer my family and I moved to a new town. It’s a small town, a friendly place where we got to know most of our neighbors in short order. There are all the usual suspects: The retirees, the semi-retirees, the coffee shop owner, the professional couple…
By R. Justin Freeman5 months ago in Families
Bonding With a Baby: Stay Calm When It Comes Slowly
‘Would I jump in front of a bus for her yet?’ I sat bleary eyed in the living room. The question nagged me. Yet another night brought yet another battle trying to get my infant daughter to sleep. At one point I’d jostled little Sprocket just so for an hour — not just side to side, that doesn’t do it you see, it has to be up and down too — and finally gotten her to sleep. I very carefully, an inch at a time, lowered her into the bassinet, carefully extracted my arm, and with joy looked at my sleeping daughter.
By R. Justin Freeman5 months ago in Families
