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So Mickey and I are working with the Life of Dad team on a parenting course for Dads and I had to share this sneak peek from the course (it’s going to be AMAZING):

“The key to being a good dad [parent]… well, sometimes things work out just the way you want. Sometimes they don’t. But you gotta hang in there. Because when all is said and done, 90% of being a dad [parent] is just showing up.” — Jay, Modern Family

A man and four children posing for a picture.

Remember, y
our children do not care if you are working towards a promotion (or if you got one). They don’t care what kind of car you drive or how big your house is. They care about you and when they will see you. They care if you are going to play football with them in the back yard. They care if you are going to wake up to make them breakfast before you go to work. Your kids don’t care if you take them to a fancy restaurant, they just care that they get to spend that hour eating with you.
Harry Chapin, singer of Cat’s in the Cradle, says:
My son turned ten just the other day
He said “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on, let’s play. Can you teach me to throw?” 
I said “Not today. I got a lot to do.” 
He said “That’s okay.” 
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed. 
And said “I’m gonna be just like him, yeah, you know I’m gonna be like him.”
 
Well, he came from college just the other day. 
So much like a man, I just had to say: “Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?” 
He shook his head, and said with a smile “What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the keys. See you later. Can I have them please?”
 
I’ve long since retired, and my son’s moved away. I called him up just the other day. 
I said “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.” 
He said “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time. You see, my job’s a hassle and the kid’s got the flu, but it’s sure nice talking to you, dad. It’s been sure nice talking to you.” 
As I hung up the phone, it occurred to me: He’d grown up just like me. My boy was just like me. 
 

So, there you have it. Invest the time now and get it back tenfold. Think of your child’s life as their personal bank account that they will take when they grow up and leave your home. Every time that you make a deposit of time, you are filling it up. The more full it is, the better off your child will be as an adult.If you want more info on when the course will be published, sign up for Mickey’s newsletter (for dads) here. 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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