Parenting on Og Maciel's Journal

Do They Need Advice — or Just a Hug?

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A few days ago, I encountered a note with a simple message: “Don’t give a lecture to someone who needs a hug.”

This simple phrase resonated deeply with me and sparked reflection on how I communicate with the people I care about most.

The Power of Listening

Often, people don’t want solutions when they’re upset; they want to be heard. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way through experiences with my daughters and in my marriage. When someone is struggling, my instinct is to jump in with advice, to fix the problem. But I’ve discovered that rushing to give advice often backfires.

I Should Have Known That!

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Trying Something New

Yesterday, I resisted the urge to work on a desktop app and instead went shopping with my wife. While browsing, we discovered the “I Should Have Known That!” trivia game.

Childhood Memories

This discovery brought back memories of childhood when I would play board games with my sisters. We’d spend hours playing Monopoly and Canasta, creating memories that I’ve cherished for decades.

I’ve long held a desire to create a similar tradition with my own family—a regular game night where we could all disconnect from screens and connect with each other.