It goes without saying that the role of fatherhood has changed my life more than I could have ever pictured. While the responsibilities, sleepless nights, and workload has certainly resulted in many trials and tribulations (along with the undeniable fatigue), I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the joys and pleasures being a parent has conveyed upon me. It’s been a life-changing experience that I’ll always cherish and has resulted in a transformed outlook on several facets of my life.

My general sense of what it means to be a parent has certainly been altered since I’ve entered into my own world of parenthood. I believe a common myth that’s thrown around once you have kids is that you can’t have fun anymore and that life is considered “boring” from here on out. I don’t know about everyone else but I would argue the exact opposite and that the fun is just beginning in many ways! Albeit, yes there’s a lot of repetition in the role of being a parent (feeding, changing, consoling, among others) but don’t we all have some sort of repetition in our daily lives? More often than not the majority of people will admit that they adhere to some form of repetition on a daily basis. Just because you do something repeatedly in no way diminishes the importance of what you’re doing. Every repetition that we do bestows upon us a new experience and memory to cherish eternally. Additionally, especially in the world of parenthood, I believe there’s constantly something new to learn about our children, and, by the same token, something that they can learn from us. Every action and dialogue that I convey to my son I attempt to put myself in his shoes and recognize the value or significance he could gain from it. One of my favorites is when I’m exercising in the morning and I see Colin getting all excited while he watches me workout. I’ll admit that sometimes it’s tough not to crack a smile or start laughing when I see how amused he gets while I exercise. I hope that his observation of my morning exercise routines will lead him to understand the magnitude of living a physically active lifestyle and how it leads to healthier life and improved sense of well-being.

An outlook of my life life that has changed since becoming a father is that I’ve stopped considering myself, “old.” I always knew it was ludicrous to think that, however, I couldn’t stray myself away from the feeling. I was representing an adult life and my carefree, sleep-in-till-eleven college self was taking issue with that from time to time. Nevertheless, once Colin was born, a light turned on in my head and I realized just how young I am and how much life I have in front of me. In some ways, life is just beginning for me and that’s a facet of my life that revels me on a daily basis. I remind myself of all the incredible moments of my life such as my wedding day, the birth of my first child, moving into my first home, and how one day I’ll be a witness to the same incredible moments that Colin will experience.

Another outlook that has changed is my overall sense of compassion for others. For example, before parenthood I might have become annoyed or frustrated at a unconsolable newborn while dining out at a restaurant with Emily. Fast forward to being a parent of my own in that same situation and I would feel a great sense of compassion and understanding for the couple of that child. If only people could identify just how challenging consoling a baby truly is. I used to think that going up to a newborn and making some funny faces would calm them down in a heartbeat and I definitely was wrong about that assertion. It’s much more challenging than it appears and if that same example was to happen today, I would want to help that couple in any way possible. When we have feelings of caring or love for other people, we feel better. Developing a greater sense of compassion has bestowed an outward-focused mindset and granted me the ability to put myself in other people’s shoes and to feel other people’s feelings.

Lastly, the role of teaching my son to be a man is one of the many goals that I thrive to accomplish every single day. The importance of manners, respecting his elders, knowing the differences between right and wrong, how to treat a woman, never giving up, working hard for what you believe in, along with countless others is what I strive to instill in Colin as he transitions from a boy into a man one day. Colin will learn to open the door for his wife because that’s what he learned from his daddy. A man, above all, recognizes his duty and therefore does not accept it lightly. He understands that his word is his bond, exercised by everyday actions and daily decisions.

Thank you for reading!

— Chris