Why am I writing a blog about children and parenting? Perhaps this is as good a forum as any to admit to the world I have a child on the way, only a few months away. I am very excited but also very fearful at the same time. I am excited about how it will feel to be a parent and fearful in how successful I may or may not be. I can only hope I will be half as great of a parent as my mom and dad have been to me during these 22 years. Actually I am only kidding; I have no kid on the way and will not for several more years hopefully (many people release a huge sigh of relief as they read this). Figured I would just share some thoughts as well as observations on such a daunting task as this.
Not sure how I feel on the prospect of raising a child. On the one hand I am excited to teach him or her many different things I myself have learned throughout my life. Imparting upon them the difference between right and wrong, hearing their first words, sending them off to their first prom, all of these things seem pretty exciting. On the other hand I am scared of the twenty year reign of bitching, complaining, and utter sleepless nights they are sure to cause me. Let’s be honest for a second. Most kids do not really appreciate their parents until they are young adults, aka 20, 21, etc. Until they reach this critical age they are whiny, loud, and obnoxious, think they know everything, and are downright asses. I myself was all of these things until just a couple years ago. Now there are those few and very rare examples of kids who get along with their parents perfectly, no complaining and no arguing. For those few and far between all I have to say is God bless. You are a dying breed and near extinct. I do not feel like I will enjoy the first fifteen years or so of parenthood (kind of a joke, I’m sure I will). Childhood is just one changing cycle of bitching. First they bitch about not getting enough milk, then it’s a toy they want, more television, a new bike, staying at little Brandon’s for the weekend, not wanting to do their homework, wanting to go on a date…..wanting a new car, asking to stay out after curfew, wanting a bigger allowance, bitch bitch bitch. The amount of complaining never ends, just the subject matter of such complaining.
Obviously with this first paragraph I have chosen the side of the pessimist. I know there are going to be plenty of joyous and wonderful occasions and memories supplied along the way of parenthood. These memories will be mixed in with terror, worry, annoyance and happiness forming one big jumble of all things parenting. Perhaps I am so concerned because I am fearful as to how I will raise my kid. Will they grow up to be respectful, strong, responsible and smart, or will they grow up to be a little asshole. Honestly things could go in either direction fairly easily. Luckily I will have another half to help me along the way guiding and instructing along beside me. I will just teach my son or daughter all of the cool and awesome things and leave all the important items such as responsibility and manners to my wife. After all she is probably highly more qualified on such items than I will ever be. To be honest my journey to adulthood has been marked with many pot holes and wrong turns along the way. Should I try and keep my kid from these very same misfortunes or let them explore and see for themselves? Sometimes you can receive all the proper guidance from your parents. You can receive all of the love in the world, all the help and compassion and still find ways to mess up along the way. Hopefully my children will not throw water balloons at Amish, spend hundreds of dollars on toilet paper, nearly get expelled from high school, countless detentions and worst of all, I can only pray to God they do not get a B- in gym class. My heart could accept most of these infractions but not the latter. This is a blemish on my record which must never again be repeated by a Dehr. If they do participate in any of these events how can I tell them I am disappointed or angry with them all the while knowing I did the very same things. Sometimes all you can do is show your kids the way and hope they are wise and of sound judgment in following the provided path. If they are not wise enough to do so, perhaps they will realize when they are 20 and finally start listening to their parents, much like I have. My best friend, who is my age, has recently began his journey of raising his young son Malachi. He and his wife seem to be doing wonderfully as parents and loving every second of it. Perhaps I will be able to emulate them one day, with either my daughter or my son. Either way, considering I haven’t had a girlfriend since before flip phones, I will not have to worry about this experience for many more years.
