I didn’t grow up in Southwest Minneapolis, but my son will. And while I can’t say I’ve lived in this neighborhood my whole life, my son can. Which means that my entire life as a dad has been lived in this neighborhood. And as I’ve learned in the past six years, the difference between living in a place and raising a child there is like the difference between reading the back of a DVD case and watching it with the director’s commentary turned on.

I moved here in 1993 and quickly learned the main points of interest: grocery store, gas stations, fast food places, video store (remember, it was 1993). But until Max was born in 2004, I might as well have just been here for a long visit. It’s a cliché to say that becoming a parent changes your perspective on everything, but it’s true – especially when it comes to your perspective on where you live.

For instance, it’s one thing to know where the locally-owned hardware stores are, but another to know which ones have free popcorn. When you go shopping for a kid’s birthday present, our eclectic toy stores open up even more if you have a young advisor along to tell you what stands out. And when you’re deciding where to take the family out to dinner, you quickly find out which local restaurants are stocked with board games.

 You become aware of how many daycare centers and in-home childcare places there are around here. You walk at the lake instead of around it. You used to think of the park as something that slowed down your daily commute when you drove past or around it, but now its event calendar is hanging in your kitchen.

And you discover that Southwest Minneapolis is a great place to raise a child, whatever he or she is into, or whatever we're both into. From libraries to karate studios, there’s not only something for everyone, there’s practically everything for everyone.

 Another cliché is that having a family gives you roots, and that’s also true. But roots are only as strong as the ground in which they’re sunk. Southwest is rich, fertile earth, with plenty to grab onto and miles of nooks and crannies to explore.

That’s what this new column will be about. We’ll look into the myriad of resources around here for parents and kids, from the well-trod to the little-known. A kid never has to be bored in these neighborhoods. And even better, there are plenty of places where a parent can be.

Despite my long residency here, I don't claim to know everything about this area, but maybe we can work on that together. Feel free to e-mail me with suggestions, tips, and hints as time goes on. You'll get as much or as little credit as you want, and possibly become pretty popular next time you bring the kids back to your favorite spot.

Ultimately, I’m hoping to make this space on Patch as family-friendly as this part of town is. It’s a lofty goal, but given enough time and a little help from local readers, I think we can get there.