Jay Payleitner Blog

How many squares on a checkerboard? Dear Parents: Asking your kids how many squares are on a checkerboard creates a great chance to teach them the rhyme “Eight times eight fell on […]

Poor Dilbert. Opening today’s newspaper, I see Scott Adam’s beloved character wrestling with a challenge that’s all too common: Way too much on our human to-do list. Like Dilbert, your to-do […]

Dear Friends: I love this quotation . . . “You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every […]

It’s that time of year. My world champion Chicago Cubs are starting strong. Boys and girls are getting spring fever. So this is an excellent time to remind moms and dads of […]

Hiya. This is not an endorsement for Pokemon Go.  I think it’s probably harmless.  I know it has gotten literally millions of young people to go outside and walk around.  (That’s […]

Dear Moms and Dads: Every field of endeavor needs a creative spark. And your brilliant kids can provide it! How can you encourage that spark?  Consider . . . When […]

Dear Married Friends: One of the oldest running jokes in the world is how kids put a halt to romance.  And believe me, I get the joke. The distraction begins […]

Hey February Shoppers: Instead of spending $4 on a schmaltzy disposable card, grab a copy of my new book 52 Ways to Connect as a Couple. That book — hot off the presses […]

Hey Friends: The good folks at Knox Presbyterian in Naperville, Illinois have given me a proverbial whack along the side of the head.  And I’m still a bit dazed. I wrote […]

Hi Friends: So last week I took my daughter, Rae, to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I have three follow up thoughts to share.  (No worry, no spoilers here.) First, there […]