Turning 6

My firstborn turns 6. That means I turn 6 too, as a dad.

Some thoughts:

• Love over logistics. Managing the day-to-day of a child can often devolve into a logistical issue. It’s easy to start thinking about the tasks to be done, instead of seeing—and loving—the child in front of you. I try, and I often fail. Especially when fatigue sets in, when time pressures go wild, when tempers flare. It’s a constant reminder—an infinite game—to try and try again, alongside the child.
• Growing over protecting. When young, you got to really watch their every step, for their basic safety. But now that he’s older, sensible, and has more impulse control, I find I have to step back, hold back, or bite my tongue more often. Let him try things. Make mistakes. Fail a little. Fall a little. Growth means letting things fall apart a bit, even if you love the kid to bits. But witnessing this growth is just joy.
• Doing with over doing for. Kid’s getting a mind of his own, so increasingly we have to switch from doing for him to doing it with him. It’s always easier to say do this, do that. Now. It’s harder to let him feel he has an important and cherished part to play in the household. Even at 6, kids can need that, even want that. And fun takes on a different vibe. Now we can have fun, alongside each other, together.

Year 5 was really about putting in place the things that will help us all thrive. As we make our relocation plans more concrete and real; as we settle into stability; as we shift into a different season and place as a family, the possibility of thriving in abundance starts to feel very possible.

Quite frankly, can’t fking wait!

Forwards.

Loving this anthology, btw:

• 1 year streak as an indie hacker parent
• Turning 3
• Turning 4
• Turning 5

Wished I wrote for Year 1 and 2!