I am a dad. I have been now for over 8 years. And I suppose I don't know just everything there is to know about being a dad, good bad or otherwise.
I have learned a couple of things though.
My wife, Susan and I had been married for about 6 years before my daughter, my oldest child Andrea was born. I cut the umbilical cord and almost immediately began to wonder how I was going to teach her. How could I lead her. How was I going to be the all knowing FATHER figure, I was sure I was supposed to be.
I wondered if I would have the wisdom in me to guide her through life's biggest decisions.
How could I lead her as she chose a career when I still wasn't sure what I wanted to be when I grew up?
How could I instill in her the wisdom necessary to choose a husband when my own wonderful marriage was a series of happy accidents, blind commitment and amazing providence.
How could I help her find her way spiritually and morally. The questions I anticipated were just so DEEEEEPPPP! And I was just so shallow.
I know now that you start with the small stuff.
When Susan and I first found that we were going to have a baby, I got involved. we read books. We went to Lamaze classes. I was going to be the amazingly capable husband and coach in the delivery room. When the time came, I was barely able to stand up at the head of the delivery bed, hold Susan's hand and keep from passing out.
When we had our second child, Alizabeth , I was more experienced. I was a little more capable. When our son Steven arrived I was an old pro and when our fourth baby came to us the doctor actually told me I would have to move over so she could perform the delivery instead of me. I still think I could have delivered Abigail myself.
When you first become a parent, you start with the diapers and learn to protect your baby and allow them to grow. What I learned is that you can grow with them.
You don't have to know how to guide their career choices. You have to teach them to finish what they start and to love a job well done.
You don't have to teach your children to wisely choose a spouse, you have to let them know that they have intrinsic worth with or without Mr. or Mrs. right.
You don't have to answer all of the big spiritual and moral questions. You have to teach them to love God and to love others.
If you can start with holding your wife's hand and keep from passing out, you can move on to the big stuff when you're ready
Steve Brummet is a communication expert, writer and speaker who works with all types of organizations to increase understanding of communication styles.
Better communication can help you and your organization reduce stress and increase productivity. For more information on one of our workshops, please feel free to call or write.
http://www.communicationspeaker.com
http://www.communicationspeaker.com
972-548-6048
214-578-4172
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many... Read More
Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
According to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More
As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Culver prom limousines ..Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Most research into children's friendships shows that those children who... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Q: A parent writes in to ask, "You write a... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
The main thing we noticed since having a baby is... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More
You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More
Parenting |