Girl Dad: 1 Year in The Making

This past year really changed the relationship I have with my kids as I'm sure it did with most parents. We were around each other much more than in previous years. Due to the birth of my daughter last April, I had an extra opportunity to be home with my family. Over the past year I've taken about 14 weeks off of work between FMLA leave and PTO to be with my family. The relationship I believe this effected most, was the one with my now 1 year old daughter. I've had more one-on-one time with her during her first year of life than probably all three of her older brothers combined. Maybe it's because we're more experienced parents, battle tested by her three older brothers, or maybe she's just a really easy baby, but whatever it is a I'm very grateful of the relationship we've formed.

 

As I write this article I struggle to not seem as preachy as I typically do in my articles in the Lead Your Career collection. Mostly because I have much more confience and proven ability to navigate a career than I do parenthood. Careers, job performance, advancement opportunities offer much more predictability than children. Home situations, belief systems, children's individuality differ so greatly from family to family that I can't, nor would I want to offer general parenting advice. This article was spurred by how I've responded to being a dad since the birth of my daughter one year ago, as well as a personal bar I'm setting for myself. I can't fix the world for her, I would probably do more harm to her trying to protect her from the reality of it. All I can really do is my best to be the dad she deserves. So here's to hoping. Thanks for the lessons in life Oakley.