10 Things We Should Know About Our Kids
1. When you say “later” your kids hear “never”.
2. When your kids want you, well, they want you.
3. “Daddy has to go to work to pay the bills so we can eat”, means absolutely nothing to them. Stop saying that.
4. Your laptop screen in front of your face when you get home says…”I know I spent all day with other people, and now, I want to spend even more time with other people and not YOU.
5. They know that a smile and …”That’s cute” is simply you dismissing the effort they put into whatever it is they just showed you.
6. Dads, kiss your sons.
7. Sooner than later they are going to stop crawling in bed with you in the middle of the night…let them.
8. Don’t just tell your daughters they are beautiful, gasp and blush when they walk in the room.
9. Hide and seek, with a belly like yours, is difficult I know. But they won’t remember your belly. They will remember…”SURE I’LL PLAY!”
10. Your job is not to make your children responsible adults. Look in the mirror. You couldn’t even make yourself a responsible adult. Your job is to make them fall in love with living and the gift of giving life to others. Do that, and they will win in life.
Oh. And remember…
All advice is autobiographical…
It’s better that way.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
Dude……..YES.
Dude…yup
Dude, this list is killer! No kids of my own yet, but this I will remember!
thanks!
Man, I just started following you a few months back. This is a great post and a great reminder for dads, and for future dads (like me and John here).
word!
you have a good name. Therefore I shall trust you!
I need to print this out and hang it in every room of the house so I don’t forget.
Your kids are lucky to have a dad who’s realized these things before it’s too late.
Great list. I’m all about #6, but it needs to come with a disclaimer: sometimes this will get you headbutted (accidentally) right on your puckered lips. Do it anyway.
#10, for the win.
#6, “when they tell you its embarrassing, that means they loved it. Do it again.” (rough paraphrase of my pastor)
Overall: so true, love it. Thanks.
I like this. With our baby joining us in August I will have to remember this for when he and hopefully others are here!
Im not a parent, but i am a daughter. Tears welled up in my eyes as i read this. Totally head on! I am currently visiting my dad and I am reminded that time is priceless, the extra time he takes to explain things to me are priceless. The moments he spent to read with me, laugh with me, and tell me that i am beautiful and loved and will change the world are priceless. As a 21 year old woman my daddy is still my hero because he did those things. Really, head on with this post. Now im going to give my dad a big hug!
Pure gold – thanks for the reminder bro.
Los, you get me every time with this stuff. Thanks. Now, I’m shutting the laptop down and going to grab that boy playing with Buzz Lightyear over there.
This post made me smile. So very true. Currently the response my husband gets to number 3 is, “Aw, but I’ll miss you.” Which I totally get because he’s going to school and working. I don’t know how he does it.
Awesome post. I’m glad your kids are older than mine so I can follow all the wisdom you constantly pour out.
Seriously, thank you.
Los, good stuff my friend and thanks for it. Now, my son is 13 now, but I still sneak in a kiss–hehe.
These are all good, Los. Thanks for another thought-provoking and highly relevant post. The one that most strongly struck a chord with me, though, was the last comment…”All advice is autobiographical.” Too often I think I know what’s best for him, her, or them without realizing that I need to heed my own advice as well.
#10- BEST. i hope i remember that if i ever have kids.
I respectfully disagree slightly with #10. God’s word is full of examples on why being a responsible adult is important. We don’t just become responsible, we learn it.
Great parenting is doing all of the things you mentioned in #10, in my humble opinion. If i teach my children what it really means to love like Jesus loved, be a responsible steward with the blessings God gives us, and to humbly serve God than i have done my job as a parent.
I love this list, most especially because of the loving spirit in which it was written. It’s no wonder why you & your lovely Bride are raising three loving, happy, wonderful children. God bless!
I’m all for modeling being “responsible” as long as it doesn’t mean being a harsh, uptight, dingle-berry that doesn’t know how to smile.
Peace
It’s all good advice but I do believe my job as a mom is to raise children that will grow up to be great adults..which includes NOT crushing their spirits, allowing them to be who they are, not who I want them to be. I am strict and I’m also fun, I believe a balance is what is needed. I fail miserably all the time.
wow! This is great stuff! Thanks!
This post made me smile. It is all so true. I lost my dad a few years ago.So many of the things that you mentioned are the memories of him I hold so close. He always took the time to let us know we were #1 to him. ALL of those small things matter so much.
I have no kids yet but I know because I had a great loving father, I picked a great loving husband who will be a wonderful father one day himself. Your girls and son are so lucky to be blessed with a dad like you.
I love it, especially the dads kiss your sons part! And it is all so true! I had noticed myself sometimes saying “not right now” and then I realized my youngest (who is usually the one who wants me to do something with him) is 15; he won’t ask me many more times; so I make an effort to stop what I am doing and spend those precious 30 minutes making a fool of myself chasing the tennis or basketball. Usually whatever I was doing is still right where I left it and I have spent time with my baby, which is so much more important. ; >
Thank you much! From a 51 yr old dad that loves his 13 yr old daughter and 11 yr old son – and is always aware there’s room to improve: You’ve packed some great tips there bro!
God bless you with more & more of such practical insight!
Dave
Love, love, love this!! I am loving this list. Life changing. #10 rocked me!
Great post. It’s even better, seeing (online) how you and Heather and you raise your family, the values you possess and exemplify, and the example you set. That’s gold. Thanks for sharing.
I’m gonna print this out and post it by my desk. Thank you
I would add “Don’t just tell your daughters they are beautiful… tell them they are smart too!”
Oh em gee I died at #10. SOOO TRUE!!! Its been 39 years and I still haven’t found the magic combo to make myself a.responsible adult. Dooooood! Thanks for this, Los.
Ouch and thanks!
Preach it , Carlos ! Our daughter used to climb in bed with us until she was about 10 and we loved it. Now that she’s left home I miss that and everything else on the list. You only have your kids for a short while , in the scheme of life, so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
#11 If you can’t take the time to listen to their seemingly unimportant problems of early childhood, they won’t come to you with the truly important problems of later.
Great list.
Someone tweeted about this and that’s why I came …
I am no dad and I have no kids … but I’ll send this to all my male family members and friends. It’s so true!!!
Thanks for posting this!
(oh, and I will be following you from now on *smile*)
Amen! Keep up the focus and when they leave the “nest”, they will remember your love and wonder at the “little smurfs” you brought home after a long trip.
I’m not a mom but i know from my lack of parents as a kid these are things I always missed out on and want to definitely have for the children i may have someday. These are also great things for me to remember when I babysit or am around any children. To gasp at their beauty, willingly play, and love on them.
I’m pretty sure the #babychild thinks kisses are some kind of attack. We do it anyway though
Yes! My favorite is watching the babychild when he sees his dad…his face lights up. And yes, he tries to get away from the kisses! We’re still waiting for him to snuggle us in bed though, soon I hope!
I wish I could express in words how incredible this post is… wish I could open up my heart and let you see how much of an impact it has made. I know you will see it 10 years from now in my children.
Thank you for being an authentic, courageous parent. We need more voices like yours and less of the ones that quantify parenthood with busy-ness.
Though we don’t have kids yet, I took this opportunity to put a bug in my husband’s ear about #8. I bet moms can do something similar for their sons by encouraging their strength
Thx for that reminder my friend.
DANG IT LOS!!!!!!!
wait…actually yes i do!!!
I don’t like it when the Holy Spirit uses you to convict me
I am going to print out this list. I think every parent needs to have this list. Except number 7- my daughter is 9 she has always thought our bed was hers in the night but no more no thank you. But seriously great post.
love this. so many of these can apply to any relationship too – great post! Add “we’ll see” to the #1 one too … i used to hate those words!
Such a great post ~ everything on it is completely TRUE!!
Wow… is all I can say every time I read this post… so so so good.
My wife and I have been talking alot about this post since the day it was posted. Such amazing fruit has been coming out of those conversations…
Thanks Brother!