A few more tips I found among my notes-on-scrap paper (terribly bad habit for a life coach, and that’s why I’m clearing the notes away, actioning them). Again, I’ve lost the author’s name, but I really liked the realism in these tips for men about to become parents…
- You will make mistakes. It’s ok. Fortunately, kids are pretty resilient.
- Small children can hurt you. Badly. [Amen to that, brother. I can recommend from personal experience that when your toddler comes flying into your bedroom in the mornings and launches him/herself at the bed - place one of your hands over your crotch and raise the other one above your face. Remember this.]
- Children imitate what fathers do and say, and then repeat them at any given time or place. Enough said?
- Try tag-team parenting - let one parent be “off” sometimes. [This has been a lifesaver in our house. Yes, it's actually saved lives, namely my kids'
] - Soaking in cold water overnight works on most stains.
- Red children’s clothing? Wash it separately. All of it.
- Kids are much easier to manage without deadlines. Minimise the number of crunches in your daily schedule where you have to get your kid “there” on time.
- Enjoy each phase of development. It won’t come round again.
- Give your kids less money and more [of your] time. [I'd add, allow them to have more time to themselves to play, away from homework, TV and computer]
3 responses so far ↓
jonathan // Feb 7, 2008 at 5:58 am
Good advice, all of it. As to the “small kids=big hurt” I can attest to that. My best friend has twins. From the time they were old enough to jump anywhere I learned in the course of a few hours around them, that whenever your name is said, or their voice raises a half octave or better it is time to take cover.
It seems kids have a natural homing becon for the groin. My theory is this is some sort of natural selection process. If they can nueter dad or the nearest male equivalent they won’t have to compete with any other offspring, thereby increasing their chances of getting everything they need.
Or, maybe its just funny to see a big guy cry.
Pete // Feb 7, 2008 at 10:13 am
Jonathan, I like your theory. When does your book come out? I’m happy to write an endorsement on the jacket sleeve?
And, man, don’t they get creative with the strikes-to-Dad’s-groin? But it’s wonderful fodder for America’s or Australia’s Funniest Home Video! So at least some of us poor schmucks have made some cash out of it!
jonathan // Feb 8, 2008 at 12:09 am
After some thought I’ve decided that I’m just going to postulate the theory and let others explore it. I fear the research would be far too racking of an experience for me.
Anyone with the cahones to do the necessary research has my permission to steal the theory.
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