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Creating Memories with Your Kids A friend of mine told me about
Lee Eddins Lee is a father of five and sells construction materials
the memories she had of her father when she was a small girl. “Dad, I want to go fishing with you,” said the little girl. She was seven years old and she wanted to go fishing with her dad so much! The dad’s response to her was always, “You would not enjoy fishing with me. You get dirty, you get wet, and you’ll be bored to death!” When my friend told me this story, she informed me that she always wished her dad would have just taken her. Society says make sure you get plenty of “YOU” time. Don’t let your identity change when you get married! You have to have plenty of “SPACE.”
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Identity should change when you become a husband and a father. ”
bc 6
Here’s the real deal, from a real dad, one that’s not on the golf course every weekend with his friends or out at the bars a couple of nights a week with the guys in order to maintain identity and have my own space. Identity should change when you become a husband and a father. I mean seriously, if my identity was still a longhaired, earring/nose ring wearing, party animal right now, my life would be totally different! I would be fun to hang out with, and we’d party until we see the lights of the cars going to work on our way home. If you were lucky enough to hang out with this “animal” back in the day and you want to hang again, I am afraid you’ll have to settle for a beer at my house. But you’ll have to bring your own, because I don’t drink. And you will have to listen to stories about my kids and my wife and… I might make you watch a video. My identity has changed, and for the better. I’ve traded a cold beer for a warm bottle, and my pee soaked undies after a long night of partying for a pee soaked diaper. Okay, so that was only one night, from what I can remember. Pee aside; it was a pretty good night. What about your son or your daughter? Are they eager to join you in your workshop, or to go hunting or fishing with you? Do you have a hobby that one of your children has taken an interest in? Could your son or daughter join you on the golf course? Take the time to share time with your kids by doing things you like to do with Available at your local
them. Make them a part of it. You may not catch as many fish, but unless you are literally having to fish to eat that evening, don’t worry about it. I love the song “Just Fishin” by Trace Adkins. What a great way to explain it. The song is about a dad who takes his daughter fishing and explains some of the things he typically does while fishing - like sitting still (which his daughter is not doing), throwing small fish back, and hooking worms. All the normal things about fishing are happening, but to the father it goes way deeper. It is a way to create memories for the little girl and to spend quality time with her that will create lasting memories for both of them. What a great way to create those memories by involving her on a fishing trip! Of course, I am not saying that you can never go fishing by yourself or there is something wrong with hanging with the guys every now and then, but I will say this. I realized early on that I have everything I need right at home; a wife that loves me and kids that adore me. Everything in my life is centered around being the best father I can be to them. That is my identity. So, next time, before you say “no” too quickly, remember the little girl that to this day wished her daddy had said “yes” to her going on the fishing trips as a child. Open your life to your child and see what happens. www.BellCountyFamily.com