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Recent Posts: M Thomas Apple Author Page
Shadows on the Hudson: The Forgotten Borderland Raids of Saratoga
This is the second of a series of posts introducing the five-part historical fiction novel Unbowed, which will be published in November 2026. All five parts are based on true events and real people – my ancestors. The first post described the outcome of the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and one of its survivors, […]
Dear Diary — June 12, 2001
The Blood of Dunbar: The Forgotten Holocaust of the Scottish Covenanters
This is the first of a series of posts introducing the five-part historical fiction novel Unbowed, which will be published in November 2026. All five parts are based on true events and real people – my ancestors. Most students of American history are familiar with the standard narrative of New England’s early settlers: the Mayflower, the […]
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© Matthew Apple and Taking Leave, 2009-2020. Duplication of this material without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. If you would like to post or copy brief excerpts from the blog, please provide a link to the original URL along with an author’s credit.
Tag Archives: Japanese
Year Two: Nursery School
Starting April 1st this year (the beginning of the school year in Japan), I went back to work and my daughter started her first year at a nearby private nursery school. Even prior to the official first day, we attended … Continue reading
Posted in day care, Japan, parenting, Uncategorized
Tagged child care, child education, child-raising, day care, education, fatherhood, half-Japanese, Japan, Japanese, kindergarten, nursery school
1 Comment
Year 2: Colleague Reactions
Just over 5 months ago, my year-long child care leave ended and I went back to work. Since then, I haven’t posted on this blog for a very good reason: I was insanely busy. Of course, not too busy to … Continue reading
Posted in colleague reactions, gender roles, Japan, parenting, Paternity leave
Tagged child-raising, family leave, fatherhood, Japan, Japanese, parental leave, Paternity leave, work, workplace hostility
2 Comments
Endings and beginnings
I go back to work tomorrow on April 1st. My year-long paternity leave is over. No April Fools.
Posted in day care, gender roles, Japan, Paternity leave
Tagged child care, child-raising, family leave, fatherhood, gender roles, Japan, Japanese, orphan, parental leave, parental roles, Paternity leave, Tohoku, work
2 Comments
Taking Leave 