Being a parent is the hardest job any person can take upon themselves. I first became a parent when I was barely twenty-one years old and I was ill prepared for the task at hand.
As a young father, living in poverty and moving from one dead-end job to the next, I tried to hold to the example set by my own father when it came to raising children and his way was a hard way....I see that now.
I raised my children much the way children were raised a generation ago and today's experts will quickly tell you that almost everything I did was against what is now accepted child rearing methods.
Now, like every other parent on the planet, I have had moments when I have worried that how I raised my children might have done more harm than good. I have asked myself: "Did I do the best I could with my kids?"
Well yesterday I got an answer to some of those questions. Mel showed me something my daughter, Melissa had written on her Facebook page and I was totally surprised....in a good way.
Here is what she wrote:
A Daddy is one who prepares his child for the world and reality. He doesn't kiss their ass and he tells them when they are wrong and right. He tells them the God's honest truth and doesn't sugar coat anything, because Life doesn't sugar coat. A Daddy is someone who cares and loves you no matter what you think of him. A Daddy doesn't have to tell you he loves you everyday, you already know it. Thank you David McClain for being our Daddy.
You see I have always believed that the biggest favor I could ever do for my children, since I would never leave them anything of material value, would be to prepare them the best I could to face the real world. I am glad to see that at least in this, I did not fail.
My daughter understands. Is it wrong to be proud of this?
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Comments
Lezlie
You done good. Admit that, and enjoy every moment.
Rated
HUGGGGGGGGG
She loves you and she is letting the whole world know it!!!!
YEP, SMILE BIG!!! I AM!!!
I'd be damned happy if someone wrote that about me.
You are now (enviably) reaping the benefit of knowing that the seeds you planted took root and have sprung up in a new generation who will carry you forward, even when you aren't physically here (or there). Wonderful, isn't it?
♥R
I remember nearly every proud thing my mom said about me, and I'm pretty sure she felt the same way about my not nearly frequent enough verbal loving up.
Life is not sugar coated and too many parents try to protect their kids from reality with good intentions maybe. But this doesn't prepare them for the toughness of life ahead.
You should be proud, sir.
Yes, I am so very proud of my daughter and what she wrote. I am also happy to see that sometimes the "old ways" are the best and that once again, my daddy was right.
You done good, my friend. xoxo
And I ? This time I could not hold my tears back.
You see:I have a son and two grandchildren.
I wish I had had more time for my son.
What I get from you here is true reassurance.
Thank you David.
rated with love