So, being a Dad has become pretty much the most important thing in my life. Funny, that. Before kids, I’ll be honest, I had little to no use for them. And, I knew it would be different for my kids – and I knew that I wanted kids; but there is no way I ever would have understood on a visceral level until I got my own.
I know that, from time to time, I’ll have occasion to eat my words; but, so far, I seem pretty good at it. My kids are generally well adjusted and well behaved. They even seem to like me. Of course, they’re 6 and 8 — that might be the easiest level there is. Liking you is just what they do. And the ways you screwed them up are often like seeds that take a bunch of years to really sprout. But, as the saying goes, you can only play the games on your schedule. And, so far, there seem to be more wins than losses.
Half (or probably a lot more than half) of the battle, of course, is having a spouse that makes you look good. Since I’m using sports analogies, and since it’s father’s day, I get to be the quarterback in this one. When your spouse is an unbeatable offensive line, you’re going to complete a lot of passes. I’m fairly sure that’s what is going on in my case.
There are guys who don’t seem to take these things seriously, and now *that’s* what I can’t seem to understand on a visceral level. I can understand, day-to-day that this or that might seem more fun or rewarding than whatever you should be doing with your family. And, frankly, if you don’t throw in some fun from time-to-time, you’ll end up not being a terribly good dad. But, as a life strategy, the more rewarding of life’s undertakings are slow, subtle, and hard. But, ultimately, worthwhile.
Happy father’s day to all you good dads out there!
happy father’s day! I just heard a segment on an NPR show about how much is spent retail mother’s day vs father’s day. mother’s day won, hands-down. No reason they could fathom. But I think it has to do with mother’s day falling inside the school year and father’s day outside. kids make a card or present in school and go home to remind their dads. no such reinforcing sequence for father’s day.
Could be that Moms do more to take care of their kids. Could also have to do with gender stereotypes about women liking gifts. In the courtship process, there is a greater tradition of men getting stuff for women and less vice-versa. I wonder if that spills over into the Mother’s Day/Father’s Day dynamic.
Doug, you sound like a good dad !
Well, I talk a good game, anyway!
(Thanks).