Shame on me
-
- October
- 1
My son put me in my place this weekend.
Here’s the scenario: We’re home Friday night and looking up something on the computer. The phone rings and I let the answering machine pick up. It’s my mom, and she starts to leave a message. I tell my son, it’s your grandma. We’ll call her back later. Then comes the comment from my son: “Can I do that to you when you’re old, dad?”
I guess sometimes I get caught up in being a dad and forget that I’m a son also. Needless to say, I picked up the phone and talked to my mom, as did my son. I owe him a debt of gratitude for setting me straight.
He’s a good kid. I hope he’ll always take my call.
This entry was posted
on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at 2:07 pm by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Category: Family, Fatherhood, Grandparents, Growing, Manners, Motherhood, Parenting, Single parents, Values
Print
| 
Email
There’s nothing like a child to keep you honest and in line. Most times, if we listen to our children, we’ll be better off. Or at least, not in trouble as often.
I always answer the phone. goes back to before answering machines. you never knew the urgency.
Thanks, Steve. Always good to get your input.
Personally, I don’t think I’ll get into the habit of answering the phone blindly. There are too many telemarketers dialing my number these days.
But I do have to do a better job of defining what “urgency” is for me. That’s the lesson. And if I can’t find time to take my mom’s calls, why should I expect my son to take mine when I’m her age? That was my point, and what I was reminded off during that brief exchange.
Kiss your son everyday for that one.
I was wondering as a journalist and a father, I can’t seem to find anyone to listen to me when it comes to my ex husband mentally abusing my children. Its always hear say and he is so good at getting out of everything. I have documentation and my children have had it, but it seems everytime we get involved in court he always manages to wiggle out of it and nothing every happens. I am at a loss and am afraid of perment mental health problems for my kids.
How can I stop him?
Laurie;
Thanks for the kind thought.
As for your relationship with your ex, I’m curious what you mean by mentally abusing your children. I’m also curious how old they are.
Personally, one thing that frustrates me greatly is when divorced or separated parents use their kids in any way to gain leverage. Kids suffer enough in those situations without being pulled into the feud  by either parent.
Anyway, whatever your issue is with him, it would seem the court is the place to air that out and have it addressed. Either way, I would urge you consider therapy for your children to help them through the transition, particularly since you’ve suggested they “have had it.” That’s just not a good thing to hear in that situation.
I always have to pick up the phone and call my mom whenever I hear “Cat in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin.