Dad Comes Clean

July 12, 2006

Ok kiddo, there are things about your parents that you need to know.  Try to keep them in mind for when you have a kid of your own:

๏    We were and still are someone’s kids, so while you may think nobody can possibly understand what you’re going through, odds are we went through it.

๏    We may not actually know what we’re doing, but we’re trying our best.  Give us a break – we’re learning too.

๏    We may be scared out of our minds and not be showing it.  Hopefully you’ll never know when money is tight, or work is uncertain – but we’ll figure it out.

๏    We will try to protect you from the world, but the world will hurt you anyway – we can’t shield you from everything, but it wouldn’t be fun if we did.

๏    If you think school is tough, wait until you’re done with it.  You’ll long to go back to the classroom and tests, trust me.

๏    Your heart will get broken.  We’ll be powerless to stop it.  But we’ll know just how you feel and be there to listen and sympathize.

๏    No matter how awful you think life is, it is not as bad as you think.  Better days WILL come and someday you’ll look back with perspective and it won’t be so bad.  Really.

๏    We’ll let you go, reluctantly.  You’ll get skinned knees, bruises and other mementos of youth – enjoy them.  Play hard, it’s important.

๏    Be nice.  Not everyone is, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be.

๏    Study hard.  Being successful in LIFE is worth infinitely more than being cool in school.

๏    Live in your moment – you’ll get older, but you’ll never get younger.  Enjoy being a kid and remember how to be one no matter how old you are.

We’re your parents – we HAVE to tell you what to do, how to be and do our best to make you a good person.  We will always love you more than you can possibly imagine – you can never lose that love and you can always count on us.

Even if we drive you nuts.