Being a Daddy

Daddy...Daddy...Daddy...DAAADDDDYYYY!!!! Have you ever heard that sound before? I hear it all the time. Rather, my eardrums pick up the sound of one of my little's voices but my brain doesn't always register it...at all. Yes, I am one of the 99%. One of the 99% of dads suffering from post-audible assault syndrome. It's a result of my kids rather whiny voices shooting at me with impatience as I'm on the phone, in the bathroom, studying, helping one of their siblings, etc...but the general result is that my brain is self-conditioned to hear them less. And I do feel bad about that. I love my kiddos, I love them more than anything else God has given me save my wife. But being a daddy isn't easy and it isn't always fun.

When we first got married and were getting ready to start a family I had this idea that child-rearing was basically a matter of example. Baby see, baby do. I'll just be a good daddy and do the right things and the kids will soak it all up and they will do good things too! BWAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaha...*sob*...ha!!!! I know right, how naive!

All joking aside, the truth is that parenting is difficult. It's a constant task that requires real love and dedication. Kids are definitely little sponges and they happen to have a mind of their own. The combination of their own little wills, my manifest parental imperfections and inexperience, and you end up with kids that still need direction, discipline, constant reminders, etc...all day long. This cuts to the core of the issue: having kids is all about being a parent, not just having kids. It's about doing the difficult things that shape our little ones into responsible individuals, good Christian citizens, caring souls.

Ultimately, the trials of parenting are outweighed by the joys. I get so much happiness from my little ones, watching them grow and develop in some ways that remind me so much of Monica and me and in other ways their individuality blossoms. My littles are so excited to play with me, it really is humbling how much they look up to me and seek my time and attention. Whether it's having "Daddy wrestle time", dance parties, reading time or sing-alongs in the car, they treasure the time I give to them as much as I treasure their presence. So, I need to begin the reversal process on my daddy hearing problem and tune in a little better to the message beneath their yelling. It's not just "Daddy, I need!", but "Daddy, I need you." They're a blessing no matter how I look at it, a source of joy and fun and love. I pray that I will continue to be the daddy they deserve and thank God for the four little gifts He has entrusted to me.