
Tales from the Dad Side
Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from nine to 29. His experiences being a single parent, co-parent, and leader, provide a unique perspective to a wide array of issues families face in our modern times. Fulfilling roles as a youth director, elected mayor, educator, county sheriff and business owner adds to his experiences and bolsters his light-hearted approach to life. Tales from the Dad Side is a journey depicted through one man’s experiences penned through written stories and tales which modern families can relate to as they traverse this life.
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Dancing through life like leaves
Posted Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I turned the page on an old, dusty photo album an image caught my eye. The image was one, taken seemingly a lifetime ago, when my eldest daughter was merely a toddler. Within the image, the sight of my child buried inside a large pile of fall leaves brought a smile to my face. ... -
Remember to show yourself a little love
Posted Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 12:00 AMFollowing a day of teaching adult students in a community a couple hours away from home, my goal was merely to get home and see my family. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed my wife’s car was not there. Unfortunately, I had just missed her and the girls. ... -
Pets — our wild auxiliary children
Posted Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 12:00 AMGet a pet, they said… It will be fun, they said. I guess the fun rests firmly on the beholder. As the days go by with our family the past couple years have been a rollercoaster of emotion where our pets are concerned. Being a pet-loving man, blessed with an equally pet-loving wife, our home has always been filled with an abundance of furry little friends. ... -
Struggling with nerves has no age limit
Posted Friday, September 1, 2023, at 4:19 PMAs we boarded the truck to make the short trip to the school for this year’s first cross country practice, Riyann was visibly struggling to find motivation. Although her sister was filled with giddiness and anticipation Riy seemed a bit off. As I watched the girls through the rear-view mirror, I could see her ringing her hands, as if she was repeatedly attempting to remove some undesirable item. Looking downward, with her chin seemingly resting on her chest, I decided to intervene... -
Our words are their guide
Posted Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 12:00 AMWe were traveling the other day when we not only faced a moderate amount of humor because of the words of my youngest but also, a true lesson in life. Just like any other journey we loaded up the girls and started off for a day of adventure. With a pending medical procedure right around the corner my wife decided that she wanted to take the girls out and have some wholesome family time together. ... -
Patience leads to perspective
Posted Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I listened to my 10- and 11-year-old battle it out, verbally, about silly things like who was wearing whose clothing, why the other choose to look at her sibling in the manner she did, and just how “rude” her sister was being, it took all I had to maintain a levelheaded demeanor. ... -
Trying new things expands old bonds
Posted Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I sat in my living room, relaxing, thinking about what the next morning would bring my beautiful wife described that the girls decided tomorrow we would go as a family and get pedicures. This adventure was not uncommon for the girls. They routinely make plans for the heavenly procedure once every couple months. ... -
Learning new things about my children
Posted Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 12:00 AMIt seems that the longer you live, the more you find out about the dastardly deeds the little angels, in the form of your daughters, did along the way. I spoke a couple of years ago about how my youngest daughter took it upon herself to help her classmates when she was in kindergarten. ... -
Choose wisely how to use your time
Posted Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 12:00 AMUpon returning home this past week from working at the motel, the girls quickly ran outside to complete their chores so they could get back on their iPad and watch some more movies. As Riyann ensured her chickens had water, Lilli began the process of walking the garbage bags to the dumpster. The scene had played itself out many times so for dad and mom, it was rather uneventful. At least, that’s what we thought... -
Walk your own path
Posted Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 12:00 AMI could hear the excitement in my daughter’s voice as she ran down the stairs. As she turned the corner and ran up to me, I couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired to bring such a smile to her face. Holding a small piece of paper in her hand, I listened along, as she described that she has her very own fairy. ... -
Trying new things can expand old bonds
Posted Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I sat in my living room, relaxing, thinking about what the next morning would bring, my beautiful wife described that the girls decided tomorrow we would go as a family and get pedicures. This adventure was not uncommon for the girls. They routinely make plans for the heavenly procedure once every couple months. ... -
Goodbyes are hard, but not forever
Posted Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs the evening came to a close the feeling of sadness filled the air. What had been a week of joy and utter elation quickly transitioned into a solemn mood of downright depression for the girls. In the morning their storybook week would come to an unfortunate end with the departure of their siblings. ... -
What makes living worthwhile? Loved ones, family
Posted Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 12:00 AMThe stage was set. Our girls had begun their day the same as they had numerous days before. With all the hustle and bustle of getting ready, this Monday seemed the same as every other. But on this day, it would be different. Unbeknown to the girls, their elder siblings would be making a trip from Florida to spend a week with them. We kept their arrival from the girls in hopes of creating a little surprise from them and to be honest, to see the big smiles which would surely result... -
Scary things out in the woods
Posted Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 12:00 AMWith the longer days of summer upon us the girls have found joy in simply exploring. Trekking into the woods surrounding the house has added to their adventure and their mother’s and my anxiety. Seemingly, through the girls’ eyes, each new tree provides an opportunity for climbing, each rock pile a new hill to hike, and each creature the perfect stimuli for their young inquiring minds. ... -
To those who extend protecting arms
Posted Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 12:00 AMWith the cross-country season drawing nearer the girls decided that it was time to kick-start their training. This season Lilli had heard that the middle school and high school athletes choose to complete their training in the mornings so following suit, she has decided she needs to run in the early morning, to Riyann’s and my dismay. ... -
A win-win attitude is always best
Posted Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs the sun peered through my blinds, I welcomed the new day. Still sitting on the foot of my bed, I gingerly tried to dust off the cobwebs from a great night’s sleep. As I sat there, I could hear movement from my youngest daughter’s bedroom. Within moments I fully understood that this solemn moment of quiet reflection would be overshadowed by the pure action-filled ambiance only two young children can provide. Still, I reveled in the moment... -
Growing through our experiences
Posted Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 12:00 AMThis past week our little family was on the road again. Having the opportunity to be one of the keynote speakers at the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association conference was exciting for each of us as our family prepared to make the trip. The girls could barely contain their excitement, although they have been getting more and more accustomed to the spotlight during these events. ... -
Glimpses of change are arriving
Posted Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I sat, experiencing a moment of silence, my wife’s words shook me out of my solace. “She’s growing up”, she declared, as she spoke about how our youngest daughter has begun mimicking her elder sister in many of her actions. ... -
Pride reciprocated one generation to another
Posted Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 12:00 AMAs I entered different moments throughout my life, I remember always being driven to make my parents proud of the man I had become. Although not an all-encompassing theme in life, my desire was to never let them down. As I sat in the brightly lit classroom while I attended the basic law enforcement academy many years ago, I remember this concept, which I held deep inside, being the main topic of discussion. ... -
Emptying the hose and clearing out emotions
Posted Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 12:00 AMMy girl had a rough day the other day. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried, no matter what attempts she made to lift herself out of the funk she felt, she just kept slipping deeper and deeper into a hole of despair. Her mom and I did our best to provide the bright spot in spite of her frustrations, but when our attempts fell short, knowing that the reason she was struggling was temporary, we decided to simply allow the child’s emotions to play their self out under our watchful eyes.. ...
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