As with any other topic there are lots of books, podcasts, blogs, articles, websites dedicated to parenting. How to deal with their anger, their meltdowns, their emotional highs, and lows. When to put them to bed. How to feed them. What happens this at this stage/age? What do you do here, there, everywhere?
I am the type of parent to reads some of those. Trying to navigate this world of growing an embryo (my part admittedly little during this time) to a person. There are some right answers and some wrong. Lots in between. Seeing what sticks and doing your best and hoping in the end they function well enough to get from point A to point B.
As we navigate this time of growth sometimes the best we can do is pay attention to what they are telling us. When it comes to raising a decent person, pay attention. Often, they will show or tells us what they need.
Last night my daugther wanted to ride her bike. Her father’s roll in this? Be outside. She did not need anything but my eyes and my time. She wanted to show off a couple of new skills. That was it. In that moment being a good parent required standing and listening. She was talking and sharing and showing off. Proud of herself.
Bedtimes, screens, nutrition, another parent, other parents, kids, teachers, and more. Yet, for half an hour last night we existed not in the in past or the future, or a lesson. We were in the circle of the present. When to do nothing? When they tell you.
A Vegan Father… being a good father by doing nothing, that meant everything.
Posted. Not Perfect.
A Better Father 