The Dad List

Normally I do my heavy thinking during my runs. But lately I've had to save my brain power for when I would otherwise be zoned out -- like watching "Two and a Half Men" and Internet-shopping for Charlie Harper shirts to impress the ladies.

A sticky-note app for my Droid is helping me keep track of my myriad great ideas. If I pull out my phone during conversation and write something down, don't blame it on technology (I figured out how to ignore people while appearing engaged years before even my first primitive cell phone).

Instead, blame my desire to be the best future father possible. The wave of pater-centric TV shows (OK -- maybe just "Shit My Dad Says") has got me planning for the future, to be the "every-man" dad who is both loving and practical, hard-nosed but forgiving. In other words, the old dudes from "Secondhand Lions," plus George Clooney in Ocean's 11, minus the grand larceny.

That's why I'm keeping a list -- The Dad List -- of the benchmarks I need to hit as a father. It's inspired by the young, 30-something guys I work with who are still learning how to handle sleepless nights and first Christmases; by iconic father-figures in pop culture; and, of course, by my own dad and grandfather.

Some of the items are no-brainers (teaching high-fives, riding bikes, playing catch) and some are what will be considered "outdated" traditions by the time I have kids (paper airplanes? Where's the remote control?). There are new-ish traditions, too -- like the elf on the shelf -- that I'm learning from young parents.

Of course, I have my own agenda. I'll only give one great idea away for now, but here goes. For my kid's first Christmas and/or birthday, s/he's getting a full toolbox and toolkit, a flashlight and a sewing kit -- all the things s/he'll need later, but will be "too cool" to ask for or appreciate as a teenager. It's a win/win. The baby will have plenty of beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. And 14 years later, they won't take my stuff when they pull the handle off the kitchen cabinet with their cargo short pockets while getting a midnight snack.

Genius, right?

Feel free to steal that idea. But in exchange, I'd appreciate if you left a comment with your best, classic, or unusual parenting milestones for me to add to The Dad List. Remember: if your suggestion doesn't engage me, I'll have no problem ignoring it (and you'll never know how I felt).

P.S. Merry Christmas!