by John Ellis Danita and I are frequently asked why we gave Infinity her name. Over the years we’ve truthfully confessed, “Well, while we were in a Barnes & Noble, we looked through a baby name book. The name Infinity, which we didn’t realize was considered a name, went well with the middle-name of Kye … Continue reading Why We Named Our First-Born Infinity
Category: parenting
The Phenomenology of Teaghan
by John Ellis Nearing three months of age, our new daughter is entering a fun stage of development. All stages of a child’s growth are fun, to be sure, but there are certain stages that are extra interesting because those changes are not just physical but also existential and phenomenological. During her first few weeks … Continue reading The Phenomenology of Teaghan
The Cultural War: Parental Rights or Parental Tyranny?
by John Ellis This story is bonkers but predictable. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the principal of a Tallahassee charter school had been fired because an art teacher showed the 6th grade students a picture of Michelangelo’s David and some parents complained.[1] There are so many exit ramps out of that previous sentence, it’s … Continue reading The Cultural War: Parental Rights or Parental Tyranny?
The Ten Most Read Articles of 2022
by John Ellis At the end of every year on my old blog, I would list the ten most read articles for that year. At the time, besides my blog, I had an actual writing gig, for which I was paid. Self-promotion goes hand-in-hand with seeking out writing gigs, and I was constantly looking for … Continue reading The Ten Most Read Articles of 2022
The Melancholy of Curtain Calls: Our Time as a Family of Four Is Almost Complete
by John Ellis For twelve years, we’ve been a family of four. Twelve years of surprises, growth, tears, laughter, and adventure. Twelve years that feel like a lifetime. Parents often talk about how quickly time flies. Before they realized it, they dolefully confess, their diapered babies were headed off to college. I don’t relate. Our … Continue reading The Melancholy of Curtain Calls: Our Time as a Family of Four Is Almost Complete
Yes, We’re Having a Baby
by John Ellis Our firstborn is named Infinity. The genesis of our selection of such a hippie-ish name is up for debate (if you ask my wife). Regardless of how and why we picked the name, there is no denying, for me at least, that the name reflected a tinge of social rebellion. As a … Continue reading Yes, We’re Having a Baby
Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
by John Ellis My pastor, while quoting a Nirvana lyric during a sermon, accidentally got the number of years that have passed since the song’s release wrong, and then looked at me in way that even my non-Nirvana fan wife picked up on. After the service, he made a beeline to me – well, as … Continue reading Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
For the Love of Myths, Fast-Food Chains, and Fungible Truth: How Expressive Individualism Determines “Truth”
by John Ellis Did you know that being either right brained or left brained isn’t a thing? I mean, it’s a thing; it’s just not a real thing – it’s not a true thing. It’s a myth. A neuromyth, to be specific. Don’t tell people that, though. If you do, be aware that you open … Continue reading For the Love of Myths, Fast-Food Chains, and Fungible Truth: How Expressive Individualism Determines “Truth”
There Is No Such Thing as a Backup Parent
by John Ellis I recently watched The Descendants starring George Clooney. While the movie is merely okay, one of its main premises is an honest portrayal of much of parenting in society. Tragically, it’s probably even more accurate when the lens narrows onto the evangelical culture. The movie’s inciting incident is a boat accident that … Continue reading There Is No Such Thing as a Backup Parent
My Daughter, Virginia Woolf, and Kids Disagreeing With Their Parents
by John Ellis For a project in high school, I wrote an editorial calling for my school to drop the school uniform policy in favor of a policy allowing students to wear the clothes of their choice (with the understanding that there would still be a dress code). Since my school didn’t teach rhetoric and … Continue reading My Daughter, Virginia Woolf, and Kids Disagreeing With Their Parents
Practically Known Theology 