What is the best part
– and the worst part
What are ways that you
try to stay involved
with your kids?
– ab out b eing a dad?
The best part, hands down, is being
an instrumental part of developing
my children and being proud of them
for their accomplishments. It can be
as simple as teaching them to dress
themselves, throw/hit a softball, kick
a soccer ball, play basketball…or a bit
more complicated like helping my
third grader study for the FSA exams
at school. And nothing can beat the
feeling when your child randomly and
unsolicited comes up to you, looks
into your eyes, and says “I love you
Dad!” – what an emotional payday!
I like to get involved with what they are into.
Whether it’s sports, like softball or soccer,
or computer games, like Minecraft or Tom’s
Gold Rush – I learn about what they’re
interested in and play with them. It keeps
me active and engaged! On the education
front, I spend a lot of time with them going
over homework, studying, and explaining
the value of a good education. Simply, I just
spend time with them! Oh, and FaceTime
helps when they are not at my house!
There’s no “worst” part about being a
dad…however, the worst part about
being a single dad is not being able
to see them every day. Even though
I work a lot during the week, that
hour in the morning and before
bedtime is sorely missed on the
days they spend with their mother.
Being a single dad
of four, successful
with your career
and
often traveling
– how do you balance it all?
Microsoft Outlook. No, really…time
is an interesting thing. As I get older
and busier, it seems like time speeds
up exponentially. I used to think 24
hours in a day was enough…now,
I want another 12! I have faced
the reality that you have to manage
your time according to what’s most
important in your life – you can’t
simply be in two (or three or, in
my case sometimes, four) places at
once. I prioritize my time accordingly,
and planning is a crucial skill. I try
and make it to all of my children’s
activities. As long as I know about
it a few weeks in advance, I can plan
my work schedule around it. All these
competing demands on my time
may sound overwhelming to some
people, but it is quite simple if you are
organized and communicate well. A wise
man once said, “the bad news is time
flies…the good news is you're the pilot”.
Sacrifice is another part of the balancing
act. I would like to have more time on
the weekends for personal interests
of mine, but I don’t right now and I
accept that. My kids are only going to
grow up once, and I don’t want to regret
missing these precious moments. There
are plenty of more years to come for
me to explore my personal interests,
but right now it’s all about the kids.
What advice can you
share to new fathers or
to another single dads
trying to balance it all?
Love your kids, and SHOW THEM so. Life
will throw you curveballs…keep swinging.
When things get difficult, don’t give up –
try harder. Remember what is important
in life, and spend your time accordingly.
Kids only grow up once – it’s like the “green
flash” of an ocean sunset…don’t blink or
you’ll miss it. And, if you have daughters,
don’t be afraid to learn how to French braid!
And, to quote one of my favorite movies,
“Guess it comes down to a simple choice
really: get busy living, or get busy dying.”
And I would be deceiving you if I didn’t
admit that I have help. My parents, and
mom in particular, have been extremely
supportive and helpful. They are great
parents and grandparents! A special
“shout out” to my mom and dad!
JUNE 2017
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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21