Father Knows Best

Several years back I read an article in a magazine that talked about the relationships kids have with their Dads.  It is and it should be different than the one they have with their Mom.  This article was written specifically to moms telling them not to impose too many rules on Dad.  As long as the kids were safe and happy, let them do things different than you would.  This really stuck with me.
Over the years I have been so happy for the freedom I have been able to give Bret (if you know me, you know this can be hard for me)to love our kids differently than I do.  I smile and look the other way when I see them playing kinda rough.  I laugh to myself, and sometimes out loud, when I see the outfits he chooses for them.  And I am happy to the point of tears when I see him make up games that the kids play with him and enjoy more than words can describe.
I am learning to stop being frustrated that he does not do things the way I do and in stead be glad that he sees another way.
Lately Cody and I have been battling with my desire for him to learn to write his own name.  So I asked Bret for help.  He took Cody into the guest room and let him start practicing on the chalkboard with chalk, which he likes better than paper and pencils.  Then after they practiced for a while, (Cody was frustrated because he said he could not make a perfect C)  Bret gets the bright idea to offer to pay Cody for each time he tries to write his name.  (With Cody we have to spend a lot of time working on the concept of trying to get better and not just waiting until you can do it perfectly).  Well this works!  Cody is writing his name over and over and is so proud of the money he is earning.  He worked and earned money, just like Daddy!

So today as he carries his change around and plays with it,  I have to sit on my Mom tendency to tell him how dirty it is and all the places it has been, and just smile and get him to wash his hands when he is done.