I know we all love our kids…sometimes I get that it is hard to LIKE our kids. Sometimes they can be unlikable. There have been brief moments where I didn’t like all three of my kids. I say brief because I think my kids are a trip most of the time. However, a note ended up on my desk that forced me to think through this like/love thing between parents and kids.
My oldest daughter just turned 12 and she is an incredible young lady that loves Jesus and is full of life and ambition. I love the fact that even in her preteen years she still gives her daddy a kiss on the cheek when she goes to bed (even when she has company over!) We have a very good relationship and I thought I was doing pretty well with her until a few weeks ago I got this note on my desk. She wrote it on a Wednesday night so I didn’t get it until late that night as I was closing up the church but when I read it I sunk.
How in the world of all people can SHE feel I didn’t like her!? I know I’m busy, I know Sean Thomas is the boy in the family and I give him some extra attention but how? But instead of defending my parenting skills and thinking about how unreasonable the question was I decided to make it clear to her that yes…I do like her. With a secular/sexual world clambering for her attention, she will know that her daddy likes her. With boys pawing at her and gawking at her, she will know that her daddy likes her. With my baby girl growing up so fast and will soon be moving on…she will know that her daddy likes her.
I don’t always get this parenting thing right. I tend to be too distracted. I tend to sweat the small stuff way too often and I forget the moments. However, it is the moments that little girls need from their daddies. They are moments that keep them connected. I need to do more sitting, more listening, more laughing and more hugging. Cause I like my kids.
Sean Rheaume 