“I’ll do anything for my kids” was put to the test four times this year. I have never been that guy who would literally take a bullet for someone else. That is, until Eli, my first child, arrived 10+ years ago. For him or for Talia who was born 19 months later, though, I would. But that’s not what I mean by, “I’ll do anything for my kids.” In fact, I hate doing kid things. Name the game and I hate it. Uno Spin, puzzles, board games, anything with monkeys. People sometimes joke about being a horrible parent, but I live it every day. That’s why, several years ago, I decided to do a thing or two about it. I promised myself I would take each kid on a one-on-one trip each year. And, I decided I would make some tenable sacrifices, like putting the kids to bed every night I was at home. I’ve since learned of the great care one should take in all matters, even ones as light as a self-promise.

And I’ve learned to proceed with caution on the sacrifice thing as well. Sacrifice is a slippery slope. What started as innocent trips and bedtime back rubs led to an absence of sanity this year, which brings me to the things that put me to the test. I decided to do the following with my children: ski, rock climb, whitewater raft and fly fish. You should know that I am an avid indoorsman. So while these activities may sound enjoyable to some of you, the rest can vouch for me on the inner treachery that builds as the days lead up to these activities. Stress pimples appeared as if it were prom night the preceding days before each event.

But I did them. Each and every one. I am still shocked. Eli said it best in an innocent attempt to bring beige back into my skin color. After I — are you ready? — repelled down a Colorado mountain, he said “Dad, did you enjoy it more than you would have guessed?” I replied with an amount of honesty that ensured I didn’t perjure myself, “Yes!” The look on Eli’s face was far more than any fear I felt. I did it for him and I did other things for Talia earlier in the year, but what I got back is something that seems unfair given everything else I’m already blessed with. But I’ll take it nonetheless and if someone tries to pry it from me, he or she better come bulletproof.

Next up — Uno Spin and deep dish pizza in Chi-Town for a New York pizza lover born in Manhattan. After all, I’ll do anything for my kids.

This entry was posted by Andy Heyman, Chief Operating Officer on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am and is filed under Executive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.