Put enough ketchup on it and a kid will eat almost anything.
No matter how much you speak to your kids, children learn more from what you are rather than what you tell them.
Baby poop defies all laws of physics and nature.
I've never seen my dad cry. My daughter has seen me cry. My dad never told me he loved me. Consequently I tell the Peanut I love her practically every other minute. The point is that maybe too much emotional display is just as bad as not enough but I've learned that I'll always lean towards the former.
Parent who tell their kids that there is no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy are pretty much assholes.
My daughter has taught me that I'm not always quite as good a person as I like to think I am but, at the same time, I'm nowhere near as bad a person as I sometimes think I am.
Also? I'm a million times more patient now than I ever was before I became a father.
You can talk the talk but you better know how to walk the walk.
Parenting tests your ability to be resourceful. In a pinch, I once made a diaper out of some paper towels, a sanitary napkin, and some duct tape.
Lacking a car seat, I also once strapped my daughter into the backseat with a bunch of bungee cords.
There are few things more enjoyable in life than cranking up the stereo and dancing silly with your child.
Poop and fart jokes are always crowd pleasers.
Ever since my daughter was born, I've lectured her about life and have tried to pass on everything I've learned. Of course, she can't understand much of what I'm talking about. But you know what? One day, she will.
Is your kid a picky eater? Don't worry about it too much. As my pediatrician once said, "No kid in Tribeca ever starved to death."
I try not to worry too much about short-term payoffs, results or expectations. I don't expect the true effects of parenting to reveal themselves until well after my time here is gone.
It's both a blessing and a curse to see which traits your child has inherited from you.
Love of reading is cool. Smelly feet, not so much
Never in my life did I ever imagine having so much fun throwing a princess tea party with a bunch of dolls.
There are many things I want my daughter to learn but the two most important lessons I'd like to teach her are manners and empathy.
Hitting a good backhand down the line is a close third.
Your kids will always remember more than you. Always remember that.
My love for my child is the only love I've ever had that keeps getting stronger over time. Maybe that says more about me than it does about my relationship with my daughter. Maybe I can learn how to transfer that into the other relationships in my life. We'll have to wait and see about that one, n'est-ce pas?
Don't force the questions out of your child. They'll ask when they're ready.
I've only been a father for 6 years and I expect the things that parenting teaches me about life will continue to change over time. And if I ever have another kid, I expect that the lessons will change in a dramatically different way.
Then again, maybe they won't.
Either way, the cool thing about getting older is readjusting your perspective on life based on your everyday experiences. When I was younger, my philosophy on life was mostly shaped by my relationships. Or my travels. Or my professional life.
Not to say that those things don't continue to shape who I am. However, at the same time, I continue to be surprised about the things that parenthood teaches me. But enough of this sappy shit. What about you?
What have YOU learned?
Thank you for this wonderful post.
What have I learned? I never believed it was possible to love anyone as much as I love my child. Loving her makes me want to be a more compassionate person to everyone in my life.
Also, being a parent has forced me to "get over myself", and get past those things that I've allowed to stand in my way. How can I teach her to go for her dreams, if I'm too afraid to reach for my own?
Posted by: Kim | January 08, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Put enough ketchup on something and even I might eat it!
Posted by: Craig | January 08, 2011 at 07:19 PM
It is terrifying how much my kids rely on my love.
Get better with being terrified.
Posted by: mo_wo | January 09, 2011 at 02:15 AM
I love the image of you having tea. You're an awesome dad, I am sure.
From an asshole
Posted by: Grace | January 09, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Manners and empathy. I know a few adults who need to be re-parented by you.
I've learned that when I've handled a situation poorly, a sincere apology to a child is magic... for both of us.
Posted by: Chris | January 09, 2011 at 12:21 PM
I always love your posts MD! As the mother of my first (almost 1) I look at her every single day and marvel at this perfect little creature and constantly am thinking of the things I want to teach her and trying to comprehend how time goes by so, so fast with children. It almost doesn't seem fair, but it continues to become more fun.
Posted by: Caroline Walberg | January 10, 2011 at 12:20 AM
hi md...just wanted to know your thoughts on the amy chua wsj article. you going to write about it?
Posted by: tess | January 11, 2011 at 09:11 AM
"Lacking a car seat, I also once strapped my daughter into the backseat with a bunch of bungee cords." ...Hilarious!
Posted by: DY | January 11, 2011 at 04:18 PM
motherhood kicks my ass. i've laughed, cried, got real mad, etc but i've learnt tt things will improve. i just gotta wait. sometimes a long time.
i've also learnt i haven't really got to know the real me till i got a living, kicking, screaming kid.
btw my kid is just 1.5 yrs old. i know things r just gonna get wilder, noiser and chaotic! bless me.
Posted by: koonie | January 14, 2011 at 04:47 AM
YES! Pls comment on the "Tiger Mom" story!! Fascinating stuff. But you must not forget to read the follow-up letter written by her daughter... inspirational.
Posted by: g | January 19, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Here's the link to the letter: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/why_love_my_strict_chinese_mom_uUvfmLcA5eteY0u2KXt7hM
Posted by: g | January 19, 2011 at 01:59 PM
If I only knew then what I know now I still wouldn't know shit.
Posted by: Audubon Ron | January 20, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I've learned to be prepared for one milion and one questions that i don't have the answer to nor care about also that i hate puberty in girls anyway.
Posted by: james singleton | January 21, 2011 at 01:53 PM
My dad said I love you with slightly more frequency than yours, but not much. My response is identical to yours.
As for the baby poop thing today I had my breath taken away, literally. The last three diapers he's "created" have been the three worst diapers he's EVER created. I'm honestly a little scared to find out what's waiting for me in the morning. The lesson learned in this though is that I might consider investing in Huggies. Because if babies are doing this every day people will be needing wipes for a long, LONG, time...
Posted by: Dadadada | January 23, 2011 at 12:27 AM
One thing I learned is our children are the greatest teacher in the world.
Posted by: Jim | January 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Proving once again why this is the best daddy blog on the internet. Thanks, MD. Thoughtful as always.
Posted by: Tatiana | January 24, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Driving with your children in the car is the surest way to teach them foul language.
Posted by: R2Dad | January 26, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Love this post!
They're only at each of these beginning stages of life once so it's definitely worth making the time and sacrifice to be there now.
Totally agree with above comments on time. Once in a while Wifey and I think, what did we do with all that time before we had before!
Even though your children are precious, still make time for your partner.
To be open and free to improving yourself as a parent. No-one is perfect!
Don't sweat the small stuff. You can buy new or fix/clean/mend broken/dirty furniture/etc. Your children are irreplaceable.
Posted by: Jason | January 26, 2011 at 10:14 PM
I just found this blog and really love it! So interesting.
I have a blog too http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.com/
hope you get a chance to read it.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2011 at 01:02 AM
"you had better" or "you'd better." not "you better."
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Posted by: Jean | February 01, 2011 at 06:45 PM
I've learned that boxes, pans with spoons for drumsticks are WAY cooler than a drum set. Thanks for the smiles.
Posted by: Michelle | February 02, 2011 at 08:38 PM
What haven't I learned! First and foremost -It is never too early to start showing your child that you love them. Just remember that hypocrisy is the number-one issue that fuels teenage rebellion. It is not enough for your adult friendships to be right, they must look right in the eyes of your family too.
Posted by: Linda C | February 04, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Awesome lessons. I've learned that watching and listening are the best parts of being a parent. I've learned that encouragement is a very real gift we can give. I've learned that Christmas is 10,000 times better with kids. I've learned that weathermen promising snow to kids in Texas are the spawn of the devil and should be shot when the snow fails to appear....
Posted by: elz | February 12, 2011 at 07:55 PM
We're just about to have a baby girl and your entry made me smile so much. Methinks my husband's going to like your entries.
Posted by: Janice | February 16, 2011 at 08:39 PM
I wonder if you made the diaper thing more complicated than you needed to.
I remember seeing my mom make do with a sanitary pad on my baby sister once, because she was just too tired and sleep deprived to care.
Posted by: teahouseblossom | February 17, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Gosh how did you live with yourself while your wife had sex with other men while still married?
Posted by: Dana Sternly | February 19, 2011 at 05:49 PM
MetroDad, where the heck are you?!!!?!?!? I've been waiting for your next post!!
Posted by: Bonnie | February 20, 2011 at 04:16 AM
Nice blog.
Posted by: cricket | March 01, 2011 at 01:42 AM
That being a dad is a never ending learning curve and a splendid experience
Posted by: Plumbers | March 03, 2011 at 05:22 PM
Parenting is never ending journey. Enjoy the ride and go with the flow most of the times.
Posted by: frugal baby | March 07, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Learning from real life experience, not just some book, thanks heaps for the post! It's definitely going to prepare me well for what is to come. Keep those posts coming
Posted by: Chromatix | March 10, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Love your writing style, thanks for sharing! And yes, poop & fart jokes are always crowd pleasers!
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Posted by: Leon | Programador SEO | March 21, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Hi, I've been reading your blog for years now, starting from my first pregnancy all the way through now my 3rd kiddo! I appreciate all the laughter that you've given readers like myself... but are there more posts to come?
Posted by: Makiko | March 23, 2011 at 11:32 PM
thank you. i love to read this type of information posts. again thank you...
Posted by: kiralık devremülkler | March 26, 2011 at 01:08 PM
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Posted by: kiralık devremülkler | March 26, 2011 at 06:28 PM
I've never seen my dad cry. My daughter has seen me cry. My dad never told me he loved me. Consequently I tell the Peanut I love her practically every other minute. The point is that maybe too much emotional display is just as bad as not enough but I've learned that I'll always lean towards the former.
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Posted by: R2Dad | April 02, 2011 at 01:42 AM
Miss your posts!! Are you ever coming back? or have you moved on??
Posted by: Susan A | April 11, 2011 at 11:27 AM
I hope all is well with you and that you're doing ok. I miss your posts and humor.
Posted by: Aimee | April 14, 2011 at 02:47 PM
I second what Aimee said. Miss your updates.
Posted by: Pattie | April 14, 2011 at 05:17 PM
What I learned? I learned how to play, I learn to enjoy my free time, to use my imagination, to be honest and straight, to answer complicate questions, and many other things that make my life so beautiful and thank God for that miracle.
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Posted by: natural fertility | April 28, 2011 at 04:27 AM
I learned that if you want the truth, ask them right before they fall asleep. When they are super tired, they always tell you the truth. Kids are listening to you all the time, scary!
BE PRESENT for your child as much as you can. Tough, but worth it.
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