I enjoy writing about my experiences during fatherhood -- whether it be about the latest middle-of-the-night diaper change, how to explain to my son he can't shoot the ball all the time, or watching my son fly to Florida for his first vacation alone with friends.

There is always a moral to every one of my columns. My goal is to entertain readers and have them shaking their head "yes" as if they know exactly what I'm talking about ... and then walking away with another idea on how to approach a parenting or coaching issue, realizing there is never a guaranteed solution.

A Parenting Column sample is below. For more samples please contact me directly.
 
 A Nice Relaxing Vacation -- or NOT!
by Jon Buzby

Picture this: six young boys on a lakefront beach with a volleyball net, two rackets and a shuttlecock (that’s a birdie for you non-badminton experts). Me on a lounge chair, 50-SPF sunscreen almost rubbed in completely, a book and a hat big enough to cast shadows over the entire beach. Let the games begin.
 
It was a perfect start to a relaxing vacation. I sat and watched as these boys embarked on organizing a badminton tournament (one of whom was my son even though he doesn’t admit it when I wear my beach hat). It was single elimination and they declared a winner about every 15 minutes before starting the tournament all over again.
 
Here were the rules:
 
1. You can serve over or underhand from anywhere you want on your side of the net.
2. If the birdie (I’m not a badminton expert either) goes over the net and lands anywhere on the other side -- in the sand, the lake, a boat or on the mountain -- it’s good.
3. If the birdie hits the net at any time you take it over.
4. If the birdie is on your side after the point, you serve it.
5. Play to 100 by 10s (don’t ask me why other than it does make more sense than the tennis scoring system).
6. Winner stays, loser takes a swim.
 
Everyone was having a great time. Win or lose, all you could hear was laughter and cheering from every player. I was amazed that six children, ranging in age from 7 to 12 could all get along so well. There was no arguing, no tears, no name calling. What a relaxing way to spend a vacation.
 
And then I got involved. Why not teach them the real badminton rules? But keep it simple. Here were my suggestions:
  1. Serve underhand only.
  2. Use boundaries.
  3. Play to six to keep the games short.
  4. Serve five times and then your opponent serves five times.

The players were leery at first but soon all agreed. They seemed to be excited to know the real rules of the game. After re-applying more sunscreen I proudly returned to my chair having taught these eager boys the right way to play badminton.
 
I was just getting back into my book when all of a sudden the arguing started. “It’s in!” “It’s out!” “You already served 5 times.” Etc., etc. You get the point (no pun intended). Soon the tears started flowing and one player stormed off the beach because he couldn’t serve it underhand (his mother was not happy with me or my rules).
 
Now, just one hour into my vacation, I seemed to have the entire beach in an uproar. I quickly suggested they go back to their old rules. They refused, insisting on playing the “right way.”
 
I sheepishly walked away from the arguing and crying and headed to the end of the dock. I jumped in the lake. It was a simple jump. No cannon ball or swan dive. Nobody told me how I should do it or what the International Diving Association rules were. There were no judges there to critique or correct me. I did it my way.
 
As I turned and looked back to the beach I thought to myself, maybe the boys were playing the right way before I got involved, because it was their way.  Sometimes kids just need to be left alone to make the rules and play their way. 
 
Despite not being perfect, my jump in the lake felt great. Unfortunately, it was just about an hour too late. I felt like the loser.
 
Remember not to make your vacation a competition. Keep it a fun vacation!
 
Happy Summer!