OK…this dad is obviously having a good time. Is it because of the skateboard-stroller, or the fact the The Good Lord made him to look like Matthew McConaughey? It DOES look like fun, but is “fun” suppose to be a part of protecting your kid from injuries? If he hits something, or someone pulls out, the kid is the “bumper” on this thing.

g.

Here’s the link explaining this thing:

http://www.boredpanda.com/baby-carriage-longboard-stroller-quinny/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Newsletter

This brings me to a pet-peeve of mine:

We, as parents, deny ourselves nothing when it comes to parenting time. I see Moms pushing a stroller with one hand, the other with a phone to their ear. Very often not paying attention to traffic and what’s going on around them. Can’t your phone call wait? Can’t you stay “in the moment” with your kid for a few minutes while you push them through the neighborhood? Don’t you want to talk with them? Make observations to them? Show them things?

I see Dads leading a family convoy on bikes, out in front of the pack!  Leaving the kids un-observed from behind while cruising city streets and crosswalks. Dad just has to get his workout in.

Then there’s the restaurant scene featuring adults having a conversation while a child sits mute…bored expression on their face while they play with their own personal iPhone or Pad.

Why do we have to multi-task? Why do we put such little value on interacting with our own kids? Especially when we insist they are “special”…gifted and creative. Are we living in a culture that gives us a pass on self-denial?

I heard Deena Centofanti on Fox2 mention the other day that their kids have to go “device-free” from 4-8pm every day.  WOW! I’m sure that new rule didn’t go over big with the little ones. In fact, that’s a good point: By insisting your kids interact with other humans (or even pets) you’re doing your kids a HUGE favor in teaching them social skills…but not without cost…TO YOU, the parent. The amount of whining and complaining over a “no device rule” would be enormous…and that means parents have to suffer through it. That in turn affects a parent’s serenity…their own personal time.

Can you be a good parent without a little sacrifice? I’m a big fan of parents/grandparents who do things with their kids that are very low tech. Not just finding something to keep them “busy” so they don’t make noise.

Don’t get me wrong…I’m a classic “cranky old guy”. I get aggravated by a slow bottle of ketchup. I don’t have much patience. I don’t like to deny myself much.

But like the old saying goes “God keeps giving me opportunities to develop it.”

-Jim

Thoughts?