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
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
I was changing Ford's diaper the other day when he... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
The cost of being a parent and raising a child... Read More
Are you glad for the chance to put your child... Read More
Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
Do any other reality TV junkies remember a show on... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
Parenting |