"The Sun is awake, so I'm awake, so we have to PLAY!" -Frozen-

The Delirium that comes with getting too little sleep can actually be a gift in disguise.  A heavily wrapped disguise.  This morning my son woke up at 4:45 am ready to take on the world!  However, this daddy wanted his 2 extra hours of sleep.  I was being begged by my sweet little boy to come play with his stuffed animals, or wrestle, or read him a book.  I did not, which I now regret.  In the delirious haze I was in, it would have been fun to see what insane adventures my mind could have come up with.  It's not like I was going back to sleep - my boy was up and could not contain his enthusiasm for the new day!  What a wonderful way to wake up, and as I'm now dragging and it's not yet lunchtime, I'm wishing I had tapped into some of his enthusiasm for the world and everything it holds, rather than grumble and go back to sleep.

Some of the most amazing things come at us when we least expect it.  We have to be careful about missing those beautiful moments, because they are not a constant, but a rare and fleeting chance to see the world with all the wonder and majesty that it could possibly possess.  And this, for me, was the chance to see it through the eyes of my son.  Which I missed.  Perhaps tomorrow he'll wake me up just as early and I'll recognize it for what it is.  Let's hope.

Fatherhood Panic

So, here was the panic moment for me: how do I, as an immature, reckless, disoriented, adrift, chaotic, mangy, and wholly uncollected guy try and wrap my head around the idea of being (partially) responsible for raising this new little life so that they grow up to be all of the things that I didn't see in myself?  Well, it depends on all manner of factors, none of which are impossible if taken on one at a time.  I repeat, NONE OF THESE ARE IMPOSSIBLE, if taken gradually, confidently, and knowing that you will screw up big time, and that that's okay.  What you see as a screw up, they may see as an adventure.

"Innovation is the mother of invention."  Louden Wainwright once said, "desperation is that father of invention."  I disagree with both.  Perspective, adaptability, and curiosity are what lead to great innovations - as such, I have to change my perspective, my ability to adapt, and the things I put my time and energy into in order to be a creatively and fun-astic father.

I'm not immature, I enjoy playing.
I'm not reckless, I'm impulsive.
I'm not disoriented, I'm interested in too many things.
I'm not adrift, I just haven't found a place where I fit yet. (Heavy emphasis on the YET)
I'm not mangy, I'm particular about ... okay, I'm a little mangy.

What else?

I'm creative.
I'm loving.
I'm hopeful.
I'm clever.
I enjoy seeing the world through different lens.

These are all things that could make me a wonderful father, but the most important thing is that I love my kids and want them to know that.  Everything else is becomes a detail which revolves around this main point.  So, this is my attempt to pass along whatever things I find fun, cautionary, exciting, or pleasantly unexpected about being a dad.  Let's see where this weirdness takes us - because the journey is so much more fun than any destination.

Pinterest Page

Here's a Pinterest Page I created that has some ideas, jokes, fun images and ideas, about being a parent.

https://www.pinterest.com/charliebutler32/parental-life/