Ten Things I Did OK In Raising My Son

As much as possible. Rearranged work, set aside my interests to support his where appropriate. And listened.

My dad never taught me how to do things, like car and home repair. When I could do something (not a lot...), I showed my son what I knew. And when he wanted to do something I didn't know, he learned to do from online resources.

Hard to do sometimes, but gave him his space, near enough to help out when he needed / wanted it.

No matter if I thought it good for him (nothing unsafe, of course) or not. Laid out money, time, and advice for a few money making ideas he tried, for his lacrosse adventures, and a few other "gotta try that" things.

He broke my heart a bit after 1st grade when he didn't want to play baseball any more.

He wanted to play lacrosse with his classmates / buddies, so we got him started in 2nd grade.

His team just had their last game Thursday, losing in a semi-final state playoff game (6-5).

Eight of them have played together since elementary school - they'll be "LAX Bros" going forward where ever life takes them. And my son was more emotional than I've seen him, ever, after that game knowing it was the last.

And after that last game, my heart was full for him and his Bros.

Whatever good advice I could. His nature is to 'reject' it, but come back to it when it is "his idea." When I picked up on that, teaching became a whole lot easier.

Incrementally from 7th and 8th grade (during the lockdowns). Was appropriately candid about life and the living thereof (from my POV).

He's got my sarcastic quick wit, to the chagrin of Mom. Lots of laughs.

Yeah, he doesn't always put the dishes in the dishwasher, and doesn't always do chores without a bit of prompting. But the wife and I are sometimes guilty of that, too. That reminds me... ;)

Through it all. And forever. Even though he can be a pain in the ass, he's a good man.