In front of the wood-burning stove, well into winter, we began our typical summer vacation daydreaming. We settled at last on a cross-country road trip to see family.

What car ride activities do you offer your children?

Summer vacation will have both terrible and wonderful moments. When we know that both will happen, and that we can lead our children by responding thoughtfully to the circumstances that present themselves to us, we can look forward to this season.

When did your child have an opportunity to release his pent-up frustrations? What quick list of expectations can you offer your child the next time you are about to enter a stressful situation?

Summertime can bring a variety of opportunities to connect with our children and enjoy new experiences together. 

What are your favorite summertime activities to do with your child? Is there an activity that just isn't jiving with your family that you need to let go of?

I always wanted to be a daddy. I just never knew how much it would change me.

How has becoming a father changed you? What fears about parenthood have you overcome? What goals do you have for your children as they grow? What goals do you have for yourself?

This Father's Day, we meet Thiago Queiroz, a dad who has been absolutely on fire for supporting other fathers in his native Brazil since his oldest of 4 children was born a decade ago. Many dads have been able to "meet" Thiago through his role in the American documentary, Dads.

Some days, I feel like I do a pretty good job of balancing my career, my family, and myself. Other days, it feels like I'm falling desperately behind and failing on all three counts.

Balance is not one-size-fits-all. In what ways have you discovered how to spend more time with your kids?

I placed the diaper on the kitchen counter. I stared at it and felt a sense of relief and a hint of joy. Memories started to flood my mind.

What will you miss from this stage of parenting? How can you enjoy more of the time with your child in the moment?

My 9-year-old son has never said "I love you."

In what ways other than saying "I love you," does your child communicate that he or she loves you? How can you communicate your love for your child today without words?

Still, planning for summer vacation became much easier once I moved from thinking that my children needed to fit around my schedule and instead began to think of how I could take care of my children's developmental needs, my primary responsibility as a parent.

What part of your morning routine strengthens your relationship with your child? How about later in the day?

My friend, Nichole, and her husband both work full-time. Their 2-year-old daughter spends the day with a childcare provider who has cared for her during work days since she was 6 weeks old. Nichole's husband picks up their daughter from the childcare center. 

In what ways do you reconnect with your child after time away?

One of the best things about summer vacation for children who attend traditional school is that there is no fixed schedule. While a summer schedule does not have to be as intense as during the school year, we still want to take care of them in a way that's in their best interest and give them the security of knowing that their parents are in charge and taking care of their needs.

What routines did you use last summer that you want to do again? Which routines did you do last summer that you may change because your child is a year older?

This morning, it snowed in Seattle. It reminded me of the night Max was born, almost exactly five years ago, when it was sunny and rainy and windy and then, in the middle of the night when we were upside-down with time and date, we looked out the window and saw snow swirling around.

How long has it been since your child's birth? How many times have you shared your birth story with others? How do you continue to celebrate the good and work through the challenges?