It's funny isn't it? We think we are the world's leading experts on our own kids and then something happens to show us how big our blind spots are.
I remember how floored I was when my eldest son related to me how terrified he used to get on our family canoe trips. Swimming wasn't the problem; he'd had lessons since he was a toddler and could swim like a fish. But being on a tiny boat out in deep water scared him silly.
"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked. "I didn't want to ruin everyone's fun." was his reply. Right then, I felt like the world's worst dad. How could I have missed it? Thankfully, he's conquered his fear now and is prepping up to enter the coast guard.
A wide smile can camouflage a multitude of fears. You can't really take anything for granted when you're a parent. Some kids can have a really lonely secret life going on.
drumsnwhistles
· 3 years ago
I had a similar conversation not too long ago with The Eldest. Actually, it was less of a conversation and more of a rant on his part, but I was glad he said what he wanted to say and got it off his chest.
As hard as we all try to do the right things, there's just times where we miss it. Many years ago someone told me that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing with our kids we'll surely screw something up anyway. Hopefully whatever I screw up isn't something major. :)
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I remember how floored I was when my eldest son related to me how terrified he used to get on our family canoe trips. Swimming wasn't the problem; he'd had lessons since he was a toddler and could swim like a fish. But being on a tiny boat out in deep water scared him silly.
"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked.
"I didn't want to ruin everyone's fun." was his reply.
Right then, I felt like the world's worst dad. How could I have missed it? Thankfully, he's conquered his fear now and is prepping up to enter the coast guard.
A wide smile can camouflage a multitude of fears. You can't really take anything for granted when you're a parent. Some kids can have a really lonely secret life going on.
As hard as we all try to do the right things, there's just times where we miss it. Many years ago someone told me that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing with our kids we'll surely screw something up anyway. Hopefully whatever I screw up isn't something major. :)