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
You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
A strange thing happened to me today. Or more precisely,... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
The word no is probably the most overused word in... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More
"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
As a parent there are lots of things that you... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
As the kids go back to school, you can go... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
School authorities continually claim that they want more parent cooperation... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Parenting |