Second guessing and fatherhood - the perfect combination (#alwaysdad)

Being a father in the coaching world is a very difficult combination… Having your kids over 3000 miles away feels almost impossible...

I am blessed to speak with coaches who are also dads and many of them say the same thing - outsiders look at our lives and think that it's so amazing that we get to travel an impact young people… But for many of us it is very difficult to impact the ones around you and feel as if you have little to no impact with your very own kids.

This weekend, I wrestled with some of the choices that my son made. They are not bad choices but they are ones that may cloud his judgment.  I've always thought that as a parent our job is to guide them through the ups and downs.  I want him to have his own experiences because in many ways it is the only way for him to have a greater opportunity to learn. I needed him to know that I had his best interest in mind even though I had to show him tough love.... Tough love is being first a listener, second a understanding, and third a direct when giving a solution. At the end of the conversation, on one hand I felt that we made good progress. On the other hand I couldn't help, but second-guess myself. I've always said that as a parent there is a fine line between friends and parents - many of us cross that line and we become friends more than the actual parent. I grew up in a household where my parents were my parents and my friends were… well, my friends… And as both Preston and Gabby get older, combined with the fact that I'm very far away I feel that I fall right on that line…

As a parent there are many times where the guilt, second guessing and pressures are overwhelming...  but I have learned that all of these emotions are normal and I encourage you to welcome them into your life.  I challenge you to face these obstacles and keep finding ways to get right through them - continue to do your job with enthusiasm and joy!   Parenting is exciting and so much fun, the challenges can be more than what you expected - keeping your standards, perspective and perseverance will go a long way!!!  You are not alone – reach out to us here anytime!

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