Ah, parenting.
It is such a paradoxical experience.
One moment, you want to smother your kids with kisses and the next….you count the seconds to bedtime.
Photography by Brittany Busk Photography
Just over two years ago my wife and I were blessed with a little miracle into our family. From the moment I saw my daughter, I knew she and I were destined to be best buds. Since that day, we have both grown as life has given us many opportunities to learn from each other as we make it through every tantrum and princess tea party.
In my first few weeks of dad-hood, I arranged for my wife to escape our house for a few hours to be with friends. As I told my co worker late one Friday afternoon of my wife’s plans to go out I blurted, “Ya, I’ve got babysitting duty tonight.”
In the distance I heard a prompt cough of flabbergastation.
“You are NOT babysitting; it’s called being a dad,” a woman said in the distance.
I was taken back for a second. I had obviously not meant anything malicious by my comment but by using this very common phrase I had offended her in some way.
Upon further reflection on what I said, I understood why she felt the need to correct me.
From the moment we knew we were going to be parents, my wife and I decided that we were going to be a team. We knew parenting wasn’t going to be easy and that we needed each other to make it through the hard times of teething, potty training and eventually…..boys {yuck!}
Referring to myself as a babysitter somewhat cheapened the meaning of the partnership in my marriage. The women at work who heard me say it assumed that to me, spending time with my daughter was a burden-esque responsibility in which I merely showed up for the pizza and Spongebob movie for a few hours while my wife was gone.
Obviously, daddy daughter time is much more than just waiting till mom gets home. It’s time for me to invest in my daughter and in our future relationship. I want her to look back on her life and remember more than just me watching the game while she plays with an iPad. I want her to know that her dad loved her because he made time just for her.
Our children are our legacy and their memories of us are all that carry on once we leave. We need to understand our roles in their lives and be stalwart examples of how parents should want to be with their kids. After all, having children is basically growing little best friends for you to hang out with. Sure, they are a little rough around the edges and ya, sometimes they remind you of your roommate in college who decided to just never pick up after himself, but they can be pretty great too.
I am grateful for the wisdom shared with me that Friday afternoon. It challenged me to understand the depth of my responsibility as a parent. Since then, every time I change a diaper, kiss a boo-boo or watch in befuddlement as my daughter’s whole world crumbles around her because it’s nap time, I savor my time so much more. These years will go quickly and I want to make the most of it while I can.
So, as we go into Father’s Day this next week, be sure to thank a Dad who gets it. Call up your dad and share one of your favorite memories you had with him. Let him know how grateful you are that he decided to be so much more than just a babysitter to you.
Tyson is a contributing writer to Today’s the Best Day. He is a husband and father to two of the most beautiful girls on the planet. He loves, football, spending time with family and providing valuable content to help others have the best day every day.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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