I love being a dad.

Fatherhood is the best gift I’ve ever been given!

The day my daughter was born I knew I would never be the same.

The first time I held her I didn’t know I could love so much!

She’s almost 6,

So here’s 6 lessons fatherhood has taught me.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">

1) The best thing I can do for my children is to love their mom!

My kids DESERVE to grow up in a safe home full of love & laughter.

Prioritize your spouse over your kids!!

I date my wife ferociously!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">
We get a sitter each week & carve out time just for us!
Date your spouse!

2) Be present.

I’m goal oriented & guilty of the next thing too often.

My daughter taught me to live in the moment!

She’s always so present & taught me that’s the best way to live!
-books
-stories
-sunsets
-belly laughs
-make believe

Whatever we’re doing,
be engaged fully!

3) Life’s an adventure!

My daughter is constantly trying to see if she can
-jump over this
-climb over that
-or hey daddy look & see if I can lift this!!

Life’s an adventure to kids & she’s taught me to live that way!!

Do things just to see if you can & have fun doing them!

4) Who cares what others think.

It took me 34 years to figure this out.
Being a parent taught me to dance & sing loud & not care who likes it so long as you do!

Kids could care less what others think.
I’ve learned so long as
-God
-me
-my wife
Are good, nothing else matters.

5) Patience & empathy.

Before I was a parent I judged others :(

Being a parent has taught me to empathize always.

You never know who is on no sleep or if someone is going thru a difficult season.

Practice Patience & give the benefit of the doubt.

Kindness always wins!!

6) Boundaries!

Saying a firm NO is a game changer!

Before kids, I had no boundaries.
I couldn’t say no to anyone & wanted to please everyone.

I would go to the bar even if I didn’t want to.
I would accept invites to everything.
I would work an extra weekend if I was asked.

With kids, you can’t.
You learn the power of NO!

If you truly love your family,
You say NO & prioritize them!!

This discovery led me to realize I needed better boundaries & priorities everywhere in my life!

I cut out
-News
-Netflix
-Toxic people

It 100x my life! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer">

Bonus one :)

The little things in life are the big things! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">

Enjoy all of life’s little moments with them, one day they will be grown.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">The walks & holding hands
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">The love you dad whispers
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">The dress up silly games
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">The bedtime routine
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">Cuddles & books
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen">Races & dancing

I want to end this fatherhood thread by paying homage to a father I look up to & learn a lot from @ZacSmall_

He had a quote that changed my life!

“Your job will forget you ever worked there;

Your child will never forget you weren’t there.”

Prioritize what matters!!

If you’re a parent,

I urge you POUR IN!!
Prioritize your family above all else!

Don’t hover & coddle.
Do be there for every moment to encourage & cheer them on!

I know we are sleepy somedays & it’s easier to zone out.

I know we have work, bills & adult stuff to think about.

But one day, and it’ll be here soon, you’ll go to hold that tiny hand & it won’t be there.

Ask anyone who has raised kids how fast it goes.

So don’t wish another day away.
Play with them!
Create an awesome on fire family full of love & laughter!

It’s how we change the world!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏" title="Gefaltete Hände" aria-label="Emoji: Gefaltete Hände">