parenting parodies – Comedy Writing Secrets

Parenting

Ronald McDonald is my Nemesis

This piece originally appeared in Fatherly. Like many single fathers, I felt fast-food shame. There were days, with back-to-back events, when my son and I…

Mark ShatzApril 2, 2026

Parenting

From Parental ATM to Full-Service Bank

An earlier version of this essay appeared in YourTeen Magazine. I used to be a parental ATM. Now that my son is college-bound, I’ve expanded…

Mark ShatzApril 1, 2026

Parenting

Your Refrigerator Will Tell You When Your Child Has Grown and Flown

An earlier version of this essay appeared in Grown and Flown. How will you know your teen has grown and flown? Your refrigerator will tell…

Mark ShatzMarch 30, 2026

Parenting

Fatherhood’s Biggest Lie: Always Tell the Truth

This piece originally appeared in BLUNTmoms. Good dads never lie. What bull. All parents lie to their kids, including moms — especially BLUNTmoms. Parenting is…

Mark ShatzMarch 10, 2026

Parenting

I Study Grief for a Living. The Empty Nest Still Won.

An earlier version of this essay appeared in YourTeen Magazine. I’m a death educator. My job is helping people understand loss, grief, and the emotional…

Mark ShatzMarch 5, 2026

Parenting

Buying Baby Gear: A Rite of Passage for New Dads

Originally published in Fatherly Discovering you’re going to be a dad is life-altering. But you don’t fully appreciate your newly anointed status as a father-to-be…

Mark ShatzMarch 1, 2026