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
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
By not planning for the future we guarantee that we... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
(Isaiah 11:6 KJV) The wolf also shall dwell with the... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
Below is a copy of our eating program for Attention... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
express cleaning service Mundelein ...Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen... Read More
Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
Does music need to be "dumbed-down" for kids? The answer... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
Parenting |