The best laid plans...
Well, Sweeter Half had a party to attend with some gals from work, so tonight was going to be a special evening for the Surly one and daughter. Dinner at IHOP (Her pick: I couldn't talk her into sushi), trip to the big box electronics store, stop off at the jewelers for that special birthday gift for Sweeter Half (tomorrow is her b-day) and then home to watch a movie. I even took off of work a little early so we wouldn't be out to late.
We arrive at the IHOP, get a table and daughter throws up all over the place. We weren't there but 3 minutes.
Wipe her down, apologize profusely to the waitstaff (who sent a pancake home for the girl) and came on home. She was sad because she had her heart set on having a date with dad, but she wasn't heart broken.
The trip to IHOP is something we do, just her and I, every three months or so. Granted, she's only a couple months over three, but it's often enough that she knows what going on, and appreciates that I am marking out special time just for the two of us. She's also flexible enough to understand that sometimes things don't work out, and there is next time.
I think the main reason that it doesn't break her heart is that I spend time with her, well, all the time. Whether it's sitting with her watching cartoons, coloring, reading her a story, letting her strum the strings of the guitar while I make the chords, or playing hide and seek with her, she knows I will be there for her because I have been there for her.
I'm not always availible, nor do I hover around her, doating. There's time when I shoo her away, tell her to go and play. But she knows I'm in the next room, and I care for her and love her.
I have heard pastors and counselors say that children build their concept of God the Father based on their relationships with their earthly fathers. The things I do for my daughter are done out of love, not out of duty, but if it helps her develop a concept of God that is positive, that shows Him as being loving, attentive, caring, and available, then that's all the better.
We arrive at the IHOP, get a table and daughter throws up all over the place. We weren't there but 3 minutes.
Wipe her down, apologize profusely to the waitstaff (who sent a pancake home for the girl) and came on home. She was sad because she had her heart set on having a date with dad, but she wasn't heart broken.
The trip to IHOP is something we do, just her and I, every three months or so. Granted, she's only a couple months over three, but it's often enough that she knows what going on, and appreciates that I am marking out special time just for the two of us. She's also flexible enough to understand that sometimes things don't work out, and there is next time.
I think the main reason that it doesn't break her heart is that I spend time with her, well, all the time. Whether it's sitting with her watching cartoons, coloring, reading her a story, letting her strum the strings of the guitar while I make the chords, or playing hide and seek with her, she knows I will be there for her because I have been there for her.
I'm not always availible, nor do I hover around her, doating. There's time when I shoo her away, tell her to go and play. But she knows I'm in the next room, and I care for her and love her.
I have heard pastors and counselors say that children build their concept of God the Father based on their relationships with their earthly fathers. The things I do for my daughter are done out of love, not out of duty, but if it helps her develop a concept of God that is positive, that shows Him as being loving, attentive, caring, and available, then that's all the better.
Posted by Surly Dave on
Friday, February 3, 2006
