Don’t turn to the Dark Side @ The BRAND New Dad.com - Simple tips, guides and info on raising a child for all NEW Dads
COMING SOON
Keep from turning to the Dark side
I wish it wasn’t the case but there are some days when it feels like nothing is working out the way you planned.
In fact you may actually feel the steam rising from your head as the “angro-meter” steadily rises past the boiling point.
Like Anakin Skywalker himself, losing that temper can lead to the path of the dark side...and we all know what type of dad he turned out to be!
Friday, 1 February 2008
There is a question that I ask my self constantly, especially when things are starting to get on top of me...”What sort of Dad do I want to be?” because what ever type of Dad I choose to be, is going to have a direct impact on my children, as it will on yours as well.
When I ask myself that question I don’t really have to think to hard. I’m pretty fortunate that I have a wonderful dad (think of a character like Cliff Huxtable from the The Cosby Show and you pretty much have it). A very measured man and thoughtful in they way he raised his children. Now this doesn’t guarantee I will be like him in his approach to fatherhood, but I’m fortunate that I have a strong reference point when searching for inspiration.
Others unfortunately don’t.
A few of my friends I know have not been as lucky as I have been for example, some have been disowned for the life they lead, others have not really had a father at all.
How do they stack up as dad’s? Actually very well, in fact I learn just as much from them as they do from me. They may not have had the best role models in their dad’s but it did give them a great roadmap on ‘what not to do’ also.
Sometimes knowing what “Not to do” is just as import as “What to do”.
When I think about what type of dad I don’t want to be, I keep getting hit with memories of my friends dad’s who were never any fun and also were always in a mood. I always counted myself lucky that I didn’t have to go home to a dad like that. It also gives me the jolt I need to break free from a similar mood I may be in myself.
So when things are getting tough (and they will, the lack of sleep will see to that) go back to that question that helps me. Quite often my brain will give me just as many examples of moody dad’s I have meet during my life to help jolt me away from the “Dark Side” then the inspirational role that Mr Huxtable (aka my dad) played in my life.
All Rights Reserved © 2007-2008 The BRAND New Dad.com & Brent McMillan
