Thoughts from the world’s OKest dad

Sometimes I think I’ve really blown it. 

A recent day went something like this: After a long day at work, and yes, by work I mean slouched over the keyboard at my desk in my windowless dungeon, soon to classified as a landmark that will offer all-access tours for the low, low price of $50 a head, I went home where my labors continued with a couple-hours grass cutting session in between the summer rain showers that have peppered the area for a couple of weeks. 

Then it was rush back to town to pick up a little supper and my precious girl child, who had dance practice. My son treated himself to a drive-thru milkshake, but the restaurant failed to supply a straw. No problem, I concluded, we’ll find one after retrieving his sibling. Well, way leads on to way, and ice cream, forgotten about in the car, turns to milk, as practice ran about 30 minutes late. 

My daughter exited the classroom in huff, visibly frustrated, and dumped a pair of tap shoes in my lap while complaining of inability to get them on in a timely fashion (apparently there is a mid-production shoe change). As calmly as I could I reminded her that she signed up for this and we pay for the privilege, so get it together and just try to do better next time. 

Finally, back at the car, my son discovers his milkshake turned cup of milk and somehow spills half of it on the floorboard. I kept my cool, but tempers were flaring. It had been a tiring day for everyone, and we were hungry for the food getting cold in the Styrofoam take-out boxes in the back seat. 

One of the kids, I can’t remember who, offered up a sarcastic remark and that was all I could stand. I lost my temper. An overly-stern scolding was handed down and a dairy product-soaked floor mat was tossed in the trunk. The subsequent car ride was quiet and eventually apologies were given and amends made. 

It’s tough these days to be a parent, and it’s not too easy to be a kid either. There’s a lot of pressure, self-inflicted and society-imposed, to be all and have all. You have to have fun when you can, let kids be kids, but learn discipline and respect at the same time. The carefree days of youth are fleeting, but there is an expectation of racking up experiences with extracurricular activities and maintaining academic excellence, while also focusing on quality family time and spiritual development. Parents are expected to be career minded, successful people, and somehow maintain a comfortable, clean home. 

While all of those are good goals to have, the combined stress of each eventually comes to a head. In short, you make a mistake, get it together and try to do better next time. 

I know I’ll never be the world’s greatest dad, because that title goes to my own father, who I very heavily rely on. So for now, I’ll just have to settle with doing OK.