I had to start cooking dinner for my son when my wife went back to school. It helped me become a better dad.

• My wife is the cook in our family; I was forced to take on the role when she went back to school.
• I got really good at making a few meals, like tacos.
• My son and I bonded in a way we weren't able to before Guy Night.

One day, almost two years after our first son was born, my wife announced plans to take night classes to complete her teaching certifications. On those nights, she said, I would be in charge of taking our son home and making dinner.

There was just one problem: I didn't cook. Granted, I could safely grill stuff, and my spaghetti was acceptable, but that was it.