Game Time!

Preparation for games, meets, and events has always been mostly mental for me. Of course, not every day was game day, so we prepared with regular practices. When it came time to perform, I had to be alone in order to "get in the zone," or, put another way, to anticipate what I would face and work through solutions in my mind. When it comes to being a dad, every day is game day. There is no time for regular anxiety-free practices. Luckily, I still have time to get in the zone while on the train home. If I have to work on the train, I try to take a minute as I walk home from the bus. As the kids grow older and challenge me more and more, this time to refocus becomes more and more essential. When I come home mentally unprepared, I'm certain to quickly lose patience. When I prepare, I can handle days like today. My son was feeling tired and grumpy as side effects of a fun camp out last weekend, so was less willing to share, more prone to complain, and more anxious to roughhouse. My little girl was learning the delay game, wanting to say "good night" to the moon, wanting to sing "Twinkle Little Star," wanting to go back out and kiss her brother, wanting to show me her band-aids, etc. My baby girl was extra fussy due to daylight savings time, and she refused to eat her baby cereal because she wants to eat real food like everyone else. Finally, my wife and I put together our November budget tonight (we're a little behind), which will always be somewhat depressing until we actually have money.