About the Author

Hi, I am Andre.

I live in Santa Barbara, California, with my wife, Dana, our six-year-old son, Owen, and our dog, Bodie. I’m the person behind Raising OE.

The name comes from how Owen signed his preschool artwork while learning to write his name. He used a simple “OE,” and Raising OE was born.

Parenthood has taught me that family life can be full of love, laughter, frustration, uncertainty, and moments that stay with you. It is not always picture-perfect. Sleepless nights, tantrums, and endless questions can test any parent. Yet some of the most meaningful moments come from small things, such as a heartfelt hug or an unexpected “I love you.”

Raising OE is where I turn lessons from raising Owen into practical, broadly useful ideas for other parents. My perspective comes from the everyday experience of parenting, from parent-child workshops and preschool through kindergarten and now first grade.

Here, I write about parenting approaches our family has tried, ways to strengthen family relationships, and products we have actually used. Because every child and family is different, I aim to explain what worked for us without presenting one family’s experience as a universal answer.

For topics involving children’s health, development, or safety, I distinguish personal experience from professional guidance and rely on qualified, reputable sources. My goal is to be clear about what comes from lived experience, what comes from research, and when parents should seek advice from an appropriate professional.

Whether you are a new parent finding your footing or an experienced parent looking for another perspective, I hope Raising OE gives you practical ideas you can consider and adapt for your own family.

If you’re looking for our children’s audiobooks, created in collaboration with Owen, please visit onipepperoni.com. There, we share original stories inspired by our son’s imagination.