Picture of my kids (Tim, Isaac, Holly), standing on the family pontoon boat, headed back for the lake house.
Last week, my family was on vacation. Every year right around this time, my family makes a trip to our extended-family summer home in the forest in Wisconsin. The week that we spend on the lake is an especially important one for our family. We turn off the TV and smartphones and tablets and computers. We take off watches and slip off shoes. We spend an entire week as a family, doing family things, loving every second of it.
Playing the game Life, while enjoying an afternoon snack.
No, I’m not bragging. I promise I have a point. I spent a lot of time on vacation thinking about parenting and life in general. As a dad, I spend so much of my time trying to do things for my family, that I don’t get much time to do things with my family. I tend to miss out on moments when I could connect with my kids because I am focused too much on other things. So, for the week of vacation, I make it my goal to spend every second I can with my family. And I learned some lessons on vacation that I’d like to share.
Isaac getting ready to return my serve.
Kids have an amazing gift for learning new skills:
Watching Isaac learn to really play ping-pong this year was a gift for me, because I got to watch Isaac give all of his focus to the task at hand, and I saw how quickly he can learn when he sets his mind to it. I started thinking about applying this lesson to life at home and realized that if I can be in tune enough with Isaac’s interests, he will pursue that new skill or goal with intensity. Knowing your child is the best way to know how to teach them.
Isaac’s first catch of the day.
Persistence pays off:
I know, that sounds like an old cliché, but it really is true. I was reminded, as I watched Isaac spend almost an hour catching his first fish, that if we just keep pushing, we will eventually reach our goals. I often get impatient when things in life take a long period of time. I’m wired to do things and move on, not keep on doing the same thing. But as I saw the smile on Isaac’s face as he reeled in this fish, I knew that I needed to learn the patience and persistence to let things happen at their own pace.
Heather and Tim out for an early morning paddle.
Life is better when we do it with others:
There are many times where I feel isolated as a parent because I get so focused on the everyday parts of life that I forget to include others. But watching Heather and Tim take kayak rides together, and watching how they smiled as they paddled, reminded me of the joy of experiencing life with loved ones. I just need to make myself slow down, look around and realize that my family is waiting for me to go on our next adventure together.
Holly and I feeding the fire.
Life is humbling:
I spent a week watching my daughter go on all sorts of adventures, and keep up with her big brothers, no matter what was going on. From afternoons spent jumping into the lake, or helping me build fires, Holly was everywhere this year, doing everything. As I watched her play and learn and grow, it reminded me how fortunate I am to have children as amazing as mine. It also reminded me that I have a gigantic responsibility to help my children learn and grow as best I can, so that they will be equipped to face life’s challenges on their own terms. It is a heavy responsibility, but it is one I am proud to bear.
My family on the last morning of vacation.
Family is a blessing:
We always leave the lake feeling closer to each other and feeling refreshed as a family. I have a wonderful wife and three remarkable children, and I am so blessed to belong to this family. Too often, I take my wife and kids for granted, because I forget how amazing and special they are. If I can just slow down, I will remember how wonderful they are, and enjoy them for the amazing people that they are.
Life isn’t always easy, dear friends. So, I hope that when the opportunity strikes you, you can spend as much time as possible with your family (whatever that may look like in your particular case), and enjoy the gift of living life with those you love.
As the proud father of three children, as well as an MFA graduate and published author, John spends most of his time trying to balance the demands of being a writer and a parent all at once. Most of the time, it’s an uphill battle. As the parent of a child with special needs, John tries to use his talent for writing to bring inspiration and hope to his readers.
For more information about John Will you can visit his website at the Writing Dad, Here and Facebook page Here.
Cover Photo: Brian Edward Miller