Tucked away on Salem Neck, Kiddieland at the Salem Willows has been delighting children since 1880. This charming little amusement area offers a nostalgic collection of small rides that are well maintained and perfect for kids ages 2 to 10.…
When my first son was born, something in me cracked open in the best way. I was overwhelmed with emotion—tears streamed down my face as I held him for the first time. Joy. Awe. The indescribable miracle of this tiny,…
I have so many amazing memories as a dad over the last 19 years. One that I’ve returned to many times is a particular afternoon when Elijah was about five years old. He had the day off from school due…
Growing up, one of my earliest memories is of my dog Buffy. He was this huge mutt, perhaps six feet tall—or at least, to me, he felt that big. In reality, he was about the size of a Border Collie.…
Growing up in the Midwest, my family occasionally traveled to one of the largest and most breathtaking waterfalls in the world: Niagara Falls, straddling the border between Canada and the United States. No matter how many times I visit, I’m…
This June, we decided to embark on an adventure with our four-month-old and we crossed the Atlantic to visit Grandma, Auntie, and a few cousins in Bulgaria. The prospect of this trip scared the hell out of us. So, figured…
The three most important things in life (IMO) are: Love yourself Love your family Stay Positive Years ago, I couldn’t stand it when people would tell me, “You need to love yourself before you can love others.” I was also…
My amazingly incredible daughter was born a month ago. (Not) coincidently, that’s about the time my wife’s last full night of sleep occurred as well. As many of you know, I have two older boys in their late teens. I…
Sidenote: I previously published this on my regular blog https://jasonstadtlander.com to which the operators of King Richard’s Faire responded and I am grateful to attend locations like this where the owners take the status of children seriously. Thank you King…