I always wanted to be a great dad. Really actively involved with the kids, teaching, guiding them. I always thought that by being there that they would be great kids too.
I still think I am and that they are. Just perhaps not in the way I thought it would be.
The way it was imagined. | The way it turned out |
Happy school kids running to mum or dad's arms after school, over sized school bag bouncing from side to side. | Parent: "come on, we have to go" Child: Parent: "come on, bring your drawing, you can finish it at home" Child: Parent: "If you don't come now [insert threat now]" Child: "coming" Parent: "Where's your school bag ?" Child: |
Happy kids eating eating a huge variety of nutritious food. No junk food | Having to bring our own cheese to any sort of nibbles tpe get together because our kids will devour a block of brie and eat every olive in site, however when it comes to healthy foods one will eat one, perhaps two vegetables and the other will eat anything - but only ever half of what you put in front of her (except brie) |
Happy kids playing together | Child 1: "it's mine" Child 2: "it's mine" Child 2: "it's mine" Child 1: "it's mine" |
Happy kids happily doing what their parents ask | Parent: "It's time to [insert task]." Child: Parent: "Come on, It's time to [insert task]." Child: Parent: "LISTEN !!!!, THIS IS THE LAST TIME, [insert demand] or [insert threat] ." Child: |
This is why I had a happy child at dinner last night, eating vegies, finishing all their food and not getting rice everywhere (strapped to their chair with two parents yelling).
Could be worse, I could end up on
this list.