Sometimes my wife complains that she's overwhelmed with work and just can't take one of the kids, for example, to a piano lesson. ...I'll offer to do it for her, and then she'll say, "No, I'll do it." We have to negotiate how much I trespass into that mother role--it's not given up easily.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I believe that I am letting my kids see that a man can be tender, sensitive, warm, attentive to feelings, and present, just plain ...there. That's important to me, because I didn't get any of that from my own father, and I am realizing now how much I missed it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
We have to give ourselves--men in particular--permission to really be with and get to know our children. The premise is that takin...g care of kids can be a pain in the ass, and it is frustrating and agonizing, but also gratifying and enjoyable. When a little kid says, "I love you, Daddy," or cries and you comfort her or him, life becomes a richer experience.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
At last I feel the equal of my parents. Knowing you are going to have a child is like extending yourself in the world, setting up ...a tent and saying "Here I am, I am important." Now that I'm going to have a child it's like the balance is even. My hand is as rich as theirs, maybe for the first time. I am no longer just a child.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
No one ever promised me it would be easy and it's not. But I also get many rewards from seeing my children grow, make strong decis...ions for themselves, and set out on their own as independent, strong, likeable human beings. And I like who I am becoming, too. Having teenagers has made me more human, more flexible, more humble, more questioning--and, finally it's given me a better sense of humor!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
My son and daughter tell me where they are in very different ways. I know where my son is because I hear him. I know where my daug...hter is because she tells me.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »