Here at Behind the Thrills, we love us some Theme Parks. No doubt about it. However, there is a great big world out there, and sometimes we need to take a step out of the parks and look at something else. Join us as we take a look outside of the world of theme parks and into the world of movies, music, television, hotels…pretty much anything else we happen to stumble across.
However whatever we look at will have some relation to the theme park world, granted not directly…but in a round about sort of way.
So join us now as we lift up the harnesses, throw out our cup of Butterbeer and take a walk…Offsite.
This week’s Offsite Adventure-Fatherhood
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! I personally hope you have an amazing day, and your family shows you all the love you deserve. Unfortunately for me, I’m a divorced dad. Let me explain.
I was married before. I got a divorce. I have custody of the kids, who live solely with me throughout the school year. In the Summer their mother, who lives out of state, takes the kids with her for the summer. That being so, I do not get to see my kids on Father’s Day…the one reason why I get to celebrate that day at all. It’s okay, I’m not upset about it. I realize that a kid needs time with both parents, and it just so happens that this day falls during her time. Merely a fact.
It’s one of the many things that I’ve learned through my time as a dad. Being a dad is a constantly learning process, just as it’s a constant teaching process. There is no book on how to act, what to do, or when to do it…every dad just kind of…wings it. The only thing that a father can do is to go with his heart. And as much, or as little as a dad may show it, all dads share one thing in common….dads do love their kids.
Relates to theme parks how?
It doesn’t, though an argument can be made that millions of dads every year spend time with their little guys and gals every year.
So what now?
As I’ve said, in my time I’ve learned a few things about being a dad. And here are just five of them.
Poop isn’t that bad
I love watching these videos of new dads just about vomiting when they have to change a diaper. And at first, it’s pretty harsh..but you get used it. And if you look at the grand scheme of things, you really don’t have to deal with poop that long. A year, maybe two..at most three. Trust me when I say, that there are grosser things out there to deal with than poop. Vomit is one. Garbage all over the house after a dog gets into the can is another. And your teenagers room…I don’t know what that was I found under his bed…and frankly..I don’t want to know.
Money isn’t everything
We’ve all be told by our parents our whole lives that money isn’t everything. And eventually we figure out, they’re right. Not because it doesn’t buy happiness, but simply, because you don’t have any. I couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve had money in my pocket. But it doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t believe the good times that can be had by taking a walk, or simply going for a drive. And if you do need to buy something…Two words ring out clear…Dollar Menu
The quickest way to get your kids to do something
If you want your kids to do something, tell them not to do it. A bit of reverse psychology doesn’t hurt every now and again, but don’t rely on it too much either. The other big thing to remember is that when you tell your kids not to do something, they will go and do it. So remember that when you tell your kids about everything from drinking, bad behavior and even sex. In fact, I’ve found that if you are straight up with them..as much as you can be at certain ages…and you tell them not only what things like drugs or sex can do…but the results of doing them…..it does a lot more good than saying “DONT DO THAT!”
Nothing else matters
I’ve found that I’ve done things that I normally wouldn’t do as a man…and as a person. It’s okay to play dress up with your little girl. It makes her happy. It’s okay to get in the mud and bark like a dog with your son…makes him happy. It’s okay to stay in the same town that you’ve lived in forever, even though you have better opportunities to grow elsewhere…the kids have good schools and family here. Instead of running away to “follow your dreams” or “start a new life” sometimes you have to keep your feet firmly planted because it’s what’s best for everyone. Other times you have to let them go, because what’s best for you isn’t necessarily the best thing for them. It’s a hard path to walk with difficult choices.
They grow up
It’s the old cliche “they grow up so fast”…but the truth of the matter is, they do. So do you. You have to learn to let things go that you used to cling to and also have to learn how to change yourself..even though you don’t want to. Kids won’t always be the same and you have to except that. Sometimes they’ll do things that you absolutely hate, and you have to do your best to let them figure it out while keeping a firm hand on them…enough rope to hang themselves with. As they grow, it’s amazing to see them change from the cute little kids they were to young adults you hope they can be. And one thing never changes…they’re always your kids.
