As a father, parenting is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Having one child is complex, but having multiples brings on an entirely different set of rules. If it’s a boy, you think you have a good idea of how this baby is going to be raised. But if it’s a girl…WOW! you jump into a protective mode because now you start reviewing your past and how you treated women up to this point. Whether you end up with boys or girls or both, you figure “ok I can handle this”.
You start to realize that the majority of your decisions should be about them and not yourself. You don’t always like your children, nor do you have to agree with them, but it’s your responsibility to honor, love and nurture them into confident well-rounded adults. Everything goes extremely well when raising your child. They are so small and cute. You watch them as they sleep. You can’t wait for them to wake up so you can play with them like little toys and feed them… sometimes over feed them. Because all you see is the image of their mother and you, with dreams and hopes for what they might become as they grow up.
As they get older, they discover they have a voice and so do you. Then it gets interesting. With that voice comes an opinion, then expectations for themselves and you as Dad. Now you have to be careful what you say, what you do, and where you go because that little shadow is monitoring your every move. Children try to find something or someone to identify with, hopefully you as a parent have walked in a way that leads your child in the right direction.
There is nothing more precious than watching fathers spending time with the children. I am always in awe of those great men who live up to their responsibilities and take the time to just hangout, watch their children participate in activities like football, dance rehearsals, choir rehearsals, basketball, and any event that makes their children happy.
But this article is giving homage to the baseball dads. I watch these men bring the boys out to practice every week, show up to games in all types of weather. After working all day, the one thing that gives them the most joy is seeing their young men doing what they love to do… play baseball. I see the boys glance up in the stands just to see if their fathers saw that difficult catch, or the ball they missed.
Children just want to know you are there for them regardless if the moment is good or bad. These great dads are always encouraging their sons, knowing that they are so hard on themselves. The last thing they need is some guys who didn’t fulfill their dreams of being a major league prospect criticizing them when they are trying their best.
No not these dads. As long as these boys are giving their best, dad is more than pleased to allow them space to grow as young men and players. I like these dads; they are my favorite.
To every dad that has been blessed with a child, I suggest you Carveout the time and spend as much time with your child as you can. Oh, you can give them money, gifts, Things,but what they Need Mostis YOURTIME.As long as you’re spending time together, what or where that happens is secondary. Make it as special for them as it is for you, because that’s what matters most. So Dads, live your best life Withyour children not Throughthem.