Brandon and I, as it turns out, are not the best parents.
I'll pause now to let the shock wear off...
Okay, so yeah! We're not the best parents. We lecture too much, we watch too much TV, we give them chocolate and lemonade and let them play in the mud...oh, wait! Those last ones are good...let's see...well, I guess we're not too bad, but the point is that we're not perfect. Who is? However, we learn and grow and get better, right? Brandon, as it turns out, is better at this than me (getting better at the parenting gig), and he did something lately that made me fall in love with him all over again.
He's reading to the kids!
And no, this isn't the daily scripture reading, nor is it an occasional "get a book!" moment. He decided, earlier this week, to start reading novels to the children (well, kid's chapter books/novels). I know you may be thinking, already doin' it, Cheryl! and good for you! But we haven't done this yet, and so it's fabulous and wonderful and new for us. And not my idea. Ha! Anyway, they started reading The Magician's Nephew. #3 and #4 don't really care for it (there aren't pictures and it's long), but the girls are mesmerized! Whenever their dad says "one more chapter?" they get so excited. I know this could be because of the storyline (C.S. Lewis is a genius, people!), but I also know it's because of the way their dad reads to them. He makes it exciting, he cuddles up with them, and his voice is so soothing. In fact, because of his voice, I love story time as much as they do; I often sit near and listen myself.
So, sorry ladies! I know this might depress you, but my husband is the best father out there. He plays with them, teaches them, takes them on outings, gives them piggy-back rides to bed, listens to their prayers, tells them lame jokes, plays "ninja" with them, shows them how things work (especially to inquisitive #3!), let's them help him with projects, shows them cool computer stuff (he recently found Oregon Trail online for #1), makes them pancakes, asks them fun questions about their day, gets them to behave easily in church, and now he reads them chapter books.
Could I love him any more than I do now?
Tell me about your husband as a father --what does he do as a dad that amazes you, helps you, and/or makes you love him more?
9 comments:
Beautiful! I'm really looking forward to the time when my kids really get into chapter books (at 5, 3, 2, & 7 mos. they're just not really into it!). I think it's so cool that Brandon's doing that!
Stanton is such a fun dad, too. He doesn't do one thing consistently with the kids, but he does lots of fun spontaneous things. He'll grab one of them and take them on a Jeep ride. He'll throw blankets in the back and stop at a park and read books to them. The kids LOVE it.
He always has one of the kids on the lawnmower with him during the summer, which they also love.
Thinking of other things.....Ah! At night (most nights) he goes to the bottom of the stairs and he-haws like a donkey. The kids come running and climb on his back and they sing "Sweetly Sings the Donkey" all the way to their bedrooms for bed. It's darling.
Oh! And the toothbrush machine! Aack! I could go on and on. I feel the same way you do -- I married a really good one. Good for me and good for my kids. We love him.
Maybe I ought to do my own post...
He plays with the kids and chases them around. They love to play with their dad and tackle him. He acts silly with them and makes believe they have super powers and they can stop him from getting them.They all love the funny faces he makes including the 1 year old. Also when he can see that I have had it he will take them and give me a break and he can be really patient with them sometimes when I am at my end. I think we take turns with this one. I am definately glad to have him and think that I need to tell him so more often.
Yesterday he sat on the floor and played Legos and built "ships" and a city and houses etc for literally HOURS before church (we have 1:00 church). There was no fighting, boredom, or desire to watch TV on Sunday because Dad was completely involved with them. It was a good lesson and so sweet of him!
He gives them the independence that I take... He teaches them to work. He can get stellar behavior from them(especially at church) and expects their best and gets it. He plays games with them and takes time off work to see them do their various things. He complements me perfectly. That is why he is a great husband for me!
So cute, great job picking him out!
My husband actually likes taking the little kids shopping.
True story.
After spending at least 1/2 hour every day on the phone with my sister in Boston, my amazing hubby got me tickets for our family to go and visit her over his Spring Break! It was the ultimate cute gift! So thoughtful because I'm so close to her, and so fun for us because we got to do it as a family. My hubby rocks too!
How fun! And something they will remember forever. Keep it going!
Although i have to say my husband just might beat yours out...he's pretty good at being a dad!
That's awesome. Some of my favorite memories of my dad are him reading to us.
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