Attention Young Parents

This past weekend was emotional for me. It was the last time I’d take one of our sons on an Accepted Students Day or college tour. Really, Bill, that got you emotional? Lame. Hear me out. We have four sons. Our first college visits started 10 years ago. They were exciting. Our oldest was going to college. The breaking away, growing up, out-on-their-own was happening. New adventures are exciting. And, remembering the fun I had at college, I must admit, it engendered some envy from me. Touring different schools and having them court your kids is a proud moment for any parent. Seeing your child consider the possibilities and eventually choose where they’re going to spend the next four years to learn and grow in the classroom, and as a human being, is extremely special.

Remember, we have four kids so there was always another child coming to experience this. The kids would look at different schools for different majors and it was always fun. The schools really roll out the welcome mat for the visitors and the experience is nearly always outstanding. Then, after years of this, suddenly you’re touring with your last child, and you realize these adventures are coming to an end. They’re all getting older. And, of course, there’s that voice in the back of your mind that loves to remind you that you’re getting older too. But this isn’t about you. It rarely is as a parent.

Over the years we’ve traveled to schools as close as 20 minutes away, and as far as Oklahoma. We’ve covered a lot of states, a lot of cities, a lot of towns. Big schools. Small schools. State schools. Private schools. Catholic schools. A lot of schools, okay. It was all fun. Then, as I said, it hit me this past weekend, this is the last time we’ll be doing this.

As a parent, we don’t really know when the last time is for a lot of things. They just happen unnoted and unremembered. Perhaps that’s God’s way, because the knowing would crush us. Imagine knowing the last time you’re going to hold your kid’s hand, last time you’ll pick them up, tuck them in, sing them to sleep. Most of us couldn’t handle it. I know I couldn’t. That was the difference of this past weekend - I knew. I knew this was the end. And I didn’t like it.

Bill, why are you writing this on a professional page? This feels more like a Facebook thing. It's here to remind young working parents that while they're busy building their careers (And there is nothing wrong with that), they are also building and shaping their children's lives. I know the pressures of trying to do both. Yes, fathers feel this too. It's hard to juggle, and I'll be the first to admit that, especially with our older two boys, I did a poor job at it.

So, my advice is the same advice you’ve gotten time and again from parents, aunts, uncles, even older friends – ENJOY EVERYTHING! Every hug. Every kiss. Every tickle fight. Even the less-than-perfect moments. Enjoy every everything. Some day they will be gone, and the amount you will miss them is immeasurable.