And while I’ve never been out rightly criticized for my laisses faire attitude toward my kids, I’ve certainly received... the occasional “eye roll” from various parents over the years.
But as more and more time passed, even I, began to question this “free-range” approach to raising my children. Up till a few years ago, I had not yet seen my kids develop their own individual interests or passions as quickly as I had hoped. At this point, I had to take a hard look at the culture I was creating. I was forced to consider that the approach I was taking as a parent, was simply NOT working…
Fast Forward to today, and I can happily say that these last 2 years or so, have been the “funnest” for me as a parent.
Without prodding and without warning, my kids’ identity and interests have slowly begun to manifest. I never thought of my kids as vocal “Choir” kids. But here we are, with 2 soloists at the last winter concert. I’ve always had a love of musical theatre. But to be able to pass that down to my kids, and then to have the opportunity to watch them act and sing on stage warms my soul way more than chicken soup ever could.
Just last week, McKenna asked me for something. And she NEVER asks me for anything…
The girl wants to learn to play Ukelele. I want to jump through my skin, but I keep my innards in place and say to her calmly, “Research it, figure out if this is something you really wanna do, and how much it might cost.” I had already silently clicked “Buy It Now” in my head, but I couldn’t let her know that…
By the end of that same day, she had already learned how to tune the instrument, watched several beginner lessons online, and prepared an information packet for me. For those who haven’t met her, McKenna is a small honey badger when she sinks her teeth into something…
That night, McKenna presents the information she’s gathered and makes her argument (like that was even needed). She directs me to a Ukelele on Amazon and says “I like this one, but I don't want to spend too much money.” Yup... My daughter is indeed Chinese. I then take that information, throw it out, and of course buy her the better model twice that amount, because that is my right as her daddy…
The Ukelele arrived via UPS today at noon. McKenna is nowhere to be seen. She only comes out of her room occasionally to eat and go to the bathroom. With strumming and humming, coming from down the hall, I am a Happy Dad...
Fast Forward to today, and I can happily say that these last 2 years or so, have been the “funnest” for me as a parent.
Without prodding and without warning, my kids’ identity and interests have slowly begun to manifest. I never thought of my kids as vocal “Choir” kids. But here we are, with 2 soloists at the last winter concert. I’ve always had a love of musical theatre. But to be able to pass that down to my kids, and then to have the opportunity to watch them act and sing on stage warms my soul way more than chicken soup ever could.
Just last week, McKenna asked me for something. And she NEVER asks me for anything…
The girl wants to learn to play Ukelele. I want to jump through my skin, but I keep my innards in place and say to her calmly, “Research it, figure out if this is something you really wanna do, and how much it might cost.” I had already silently clicked “Buy It Now” in my head, but I couldn’t let her know that…
By the end of that same day, she had already learned how to tune the instrument, watched several beginner lessons online, and prepared an information packet for me. For those who haven’t met her, McKenna is a small honey badger when she sinks her teeth into something… That night, McKenna presents the information she’s gathered and makes her argument (like that was even needed). She directs me to a Ukelele on Amazon and says “I like this one, but I don't want to spend too much money.” Yup... My daughter is indeed Chinese.
I then take that information, throw it out, and of course buy her the better model twice that amount, because that is my right as her daddy…The Ukelele arrived via UPS today at noon. McKenna is nowhere to be seen. She only comes out of her room occasionally to eat and go to the bathroom. With strumming and humming, coming from down the hall, I am a Happy Dad...
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