In my blog
introduction I stated that:“By no means
do I think I’ve done everything as a parent perfectly, God we all make mistakes
but sometimes I wish I had been given advice that might have swayed some of the
decisions I have made along the way.”
To this my Dad
added “well Dean the advice was always there its just you chose to ignore it”.
I had never really thought of it like that, on reflection the advice and
answers to the majority of our problems is usually right in front of us but we
choose to follow our own paths. When it comes to parenting, I was told just
before my daughter Indiana was born that “there is no rule book when it comes
to parenting, everything you think you know you will go right out the window
and you will make it up as you go along” I thought this sounded crazy at the
time but looking back I realise this pretty much sums up parenting.
When Indie was
born, her mum Lou and I looked at each other like “what the f**k do we do now?”
it was that terrifying moment where we both realised that even though we had
attended every class, every antenatal, we didn’t have the slightest clue what
we were supposed to do next. I was looking for guidance from Lou and I’m sure
she was thinking the same. Once our little chick was home it was about two
weeks before we were even organised enough to leave the house. We would get her
ready, get ourselves ready and pack literally everything we owned baby wise,
just in case! So of course by the time we were ready it was too late and we
would end up not bothering. I guess at this point the natural instincts kick in
and you start to go with the flow, and that to me feels like the only way.
I had part written
this blog but was inspired to finish it by something that happened earlier
today. An innocuous visit to the hairdressers started off in quite normal
fashion and ended up with a situation I’d rather not have found myself in.
Indie was left to her own devices and is normally let loose with the
hairdressing practising heads, busy brushing away and having a great time while
I had some more grey hairs dyed in. I must have taken my eyes off her for 5
minutes only to be met with the model looking like it had been in a fight with
a lawnmower. Somehow she had found some scissors and decided to start her
career in hairdressing earlier than expected! Initially I was shocked but the
owners (great friends of ours by the way) found the funny side, we walked out
with our tails between our legs and Indie clutching the head as it was no
longer any good to them. I was cross with her but it didn’t get much further
than that. I dropped her at her mums not long after and after I had explained
what had happened – Indie and I both got the biggest bollocking ever. I suppose
it was only then it dawned on me that even though they had laughed it off and
let us off lightly in the hairdressers, Indie should have known much better and
I absolutely should have reacted differently.
I do find it very
hard to be the disciplinarian, and I’m ashamed to say I do tend to leave that
role to Indies Mum. When I don’t have her all of the time, I want her time with
me to be amazing, I don’t want to spend my time on her case but this is
something I’m going to have to change and change fast as it’s not fair on Lou
to be the bad guy. In regards to parenting, I’m always learning and today I had
a lesson that will change my mindset. Both parents need to pull together when
matters like this are concerned so I’ll take my scolding like a man and move on
from it. Always learning every day and I guess that will never stop.
I think my advice
to any new or expecting parents is to not beat yourself up, there really is no
manual to raise a kid by, every single kid is different. Your own parents can
also play a big part so do not be afraid to ask for help, its bloody daunting
bringing a new life into the world. I guess the point to this post is that the
help and advice is out there, whether you choose to ignore that advice is up to
you but never be afraid to ask.
Written by Dean Edwards @deanedwardschef
For more information about Dean click here.
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