Being The Dad I Want To Be
Regular readers of my blog will know I have five children. I’m never sure if I get it right being a dad, but hopefully practise makes perfect. At least that’s what I try to do.
Over the last week I have come to realise that it’s not always the big grand gestures of being a parent that make you a great dad. It’s the more mundane and simple things you do that make a difference.
The first moment was my 19 year old daughter who I think was a bit homesick at university so I drove down on the Friday to pick her up and bring her home for the weekend, which I’m sure she appreciated a few home comforts.
My 21 year old daughter who lives with her boyfriend came home from a weekend in London to find the washing machine not working and of course who did she ring? Yes dad! Can you do some washing for us? 5 bags later, but we got it all done!
My 17 year old son was next. I just finished off my big job of the week on Friday and was at home washing up and cleaning my paintbrushes etc before I went back out to get all my mums shopping for the week because she is housebound. My phone rang and it was my son saying he was feeling unwell and in school and could I pick him up. Obviously without hesitation I went and got him.
My four year old twin girls always want something NOW! I imagine lots of you have heard that. The thing is it is usually something small and insignificant, but to a four year old it’s massive and of course you do whatever they want. Why? Because it makes them happy and quite often it could be just finding a particular toy they can’t find.
In life the big grand gestures are not really important, it’s the little things. Taking five minutes out of your life to make your children happy and let them know that you are there for the little things in life.
Of course that doesn’t mean that if they have big issues you can also step up and help them.
The dad I want to be and have always wanted to be is one that my children can turn to for help and advice whenever they need to and whatever age they are because no matter how old they get hopefully they can ask me and never feeling uncomfortable about it. Most importantly they know that I love them and will if I possibly can do anything for them.
What sort of parent/dad do you want to be? Would love to hear your thoughts.
7 Comments
momoftwolittlegirls
February 13, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Aww … this is so sweet. We’re at the stage now where our older relatives call us for help, which is all part of the circle of life I guess. Great post.
#globalblogging
Rach
February 13, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Lovely post Nige. You sound like a fab Dad who your kids all look up to and turn to for help and that must be a great feeling. I guess I just want to be the Mum my son always feels he can trust with anything, have fun with and can learn from. Whilst knowing I’ve always got his best interests at heart #globalblogging
Emmi
February 13, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Yes!! That’s the point of being a parent! We wanted to be that way and we are handling it that way having a happy child!
Thank you for sharing! #Globalblogging
Jeff Wood
February 13, 2017 at 5:07 pm
I agree with you and what a great post. The small things we do as parents even the ones unseen, make the biggest impacts on our kids lives.
One Messy Mama
February 13, 2017 at 6:27 pm
We can’t always get it right, but on those special moments that we do, it’s something that will stay with our children forever. I hope to be a parent that try’s to listen at all times. And yes, 4-year-olds want everything immediately! :)My mother-in-law, always walks right in and does the laundry, instead of being annoyed, I appreciate every bit of help, as I am sure your kids do! #globalblogging
Rhian Harris
February 14, 2017 at 9:30 pm
You sound like a great Dad! My Dad can fix anything so I am sure your kids feel the same! Thanks for linking up #globalblogging
Lucy At Home
February 19, 2017 at 9:41 pm
This is so lovely! This is just the sort of mummy I want to be too – I want my kids to know that they’re my priority, and that I’ve got their back (no matter how old they get). Your kids are very lucky to have you! #blogcrush