Life Is An Adventure

If there is one stereotype that tends to be true, fathers can tend to be silly with their kids. And I am no different. I try to turn the little aspects of life into an adventure. I don’t take Ava out for just any regular stroll in the neighborhood. No. Cracks in the sidewalk become expanses that we have to leap. Neighborhood dogs become monsters that we have to outsmart and outrun. And during these moments of silliness, I am providing a full commentary of absurdity. What – Stephanie wants to take our picture? Now we’re running from the paparazzi! Put on some music, voila, Dancing with the Stars is right in my living room. Pop Ava in her high chair as I cook, and the kitchen becomes the set for Iron Chef as I try to whip up a meal before Stephanie wakes up from her nap and the next soiled diaper! Trust, you HAVE to make fatherhood fun gents! You’ll go stir-crazy if you don’t make it fun. But given my antics, some would accuse me of losing my sanity long ago.

Now, these are just a few tips that I have learned and employed over that better part of the year. The objective is to stay dialed in and engaged with your child. If there is a running theme here, I would say it is: communication, communication, and more communication. It may be verbal and non-verbal. I have a long way to go, as Ava is still a baby, but what I am doing here is laying the groundwork for a close relationship with my daughter. It won’t just happen overnight, it is an endeavor that requires hard work – work that I love to do. So, for all the other dads out there, what fun stuff do you do to bond with your child?