Discomfort might sound less abusive than kid pain. Again, this may be so basic for some of you. It was not for me (or is not). All of us, I think, have certain blind spots. Remember, weaknesses are easily identifiable. You can't see blind spots, thus, the term, "blind" spots.
I was determined early in my children's lives that they would live in a pain-free environment. Several things helped me transition in my thinking. I was not as god-like as I thought.
Maybe it was when Abby was velcroed to a table at 2 years old to get her lip stitched. Maybe it was watching Anna's chronic preschool tantrums. Maybe it was watching Krista battle the teenage years. Or all of the above . . .
I think I hurt them. I hurt them by trying so hard to create a false, pain-free world. Not trying to be profound here but just pointing to a current reality: I am here to walk along side my children and help them process pain and disappointment. I am not here to take it away.
If I could take it all away, I shouldn't. If I could it would only be short-term, not lifelong. If I could I would not be fulfilling my real role as dad. Preparing them to live without me.
1 comment:
Good stuff Dino. Makes me think about the environments I'm trying to create for my two.
Post a Comment