{"id":7651,"date":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/growing-up-on-fathers-day\/"},"modified":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-06-14T00:00:00","slug":"growing-up-on-fathers-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/es\/growing-up-on-fathers-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Up on Father\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Father<\/a><\/p>\n

I was having a conversation with a friend recently about what it\u2019s like to be a parent. He has older children, so he\u2019s a little ahead of the game compared to me. We were talking about how difficult it is to make the transition into parenthood \u2014 how it\u2019s such a big lifestyle change; how suddenly you have this little human who is completely dependent on you for every need, physically and emotionally. A task as simple as planning dinner becomes less about what two of you are in the mood for, and more about what is going to fulfill our growing boys.<\/p>\n

My friend compared it to the changes that happen when your child transitions into\u00a0adulthood. Suddenly this kid who has depended on you for everything doesn\u2019t want\u00a0to depend on you for anything. He wants to learn how to go it alone, to prove that\u00a0he\u2019s an adult. At both age 12 and 2, they are learning to cope with the changing dynamics of their bodies,\u00a0while having to learn emotional self-maintenance and stability.<\/p>\n

And in both cases, my friend said, despite what is happening with our children, they are\u00a0the ones inviting us to grow up.<\/p>\n

This is my fourth Father\u2019s Day since my oldest son was born. I worry so much\u00a0about his growth and development that I\u2019ve never stopped to consider how much\u00a0I\u2019ve grown in the last four years.\u00a0I\u2019ve learned to set my everyday wants aside, while gaining a greater understanding\u00a0of the importance of self-care. But most importantly, at\u00a0least to me, I\u2019ve learned to be content in the everyday nuances of a seemingly \u201cdull\u201d\u00a0life, finding joy in small victories as much as in grand adventures. From playing in the backyard, to first rides on the Chicago \u201cL\u201d, I realize how fleeting these moments together truly are at this age.<\/p>\n

The Together CountsTM<\/sup> Program promotes the importance of family meals and time together as an avenue for strengthened family health, emotionally and physically. It\u2019s during these small moments together that I\u2019m able to see my two little men grow from babies, to toddlers, teenagers and one day parents themselves. As they grow up, our entire family grows up as well.<\/p>\n

When Miles reaches that arc of adulthood, I know he\u2019s going to invite me to grow\u00a0up in different ways. He\u2019s going to encourage me to let go of him and let him make\u00a0mistakes. He\u2019s going to increasingly invite me to see him as an equal. And it\u2019s going\u00a0to be really hard. But growing up always is.<\/p>\n

At least at that age, we can more consciously grow up together. I\u2019m hoping we\u2019ll both\u00a0be able to admit when it\u2019s hard and when we make mistakes, and gain a new respect\u00a0for each other. The health of our relationship beyond this household depends on it.<\/p>\n

This Father\u2019s Day, I think it\u2019s important to reflect on all the ways we\u2019ve had to grow up as parents. In what ways have you had to grow up? Are you honest with yourself about how\u00a0hard it\u2019s been?<\/p>\n

For more Father\u2019s Day ideas, check out these Together Counts resources:<\/em><\/p>\n