What do you say to your mom when you stand in her kitchen and realize that you’re the man of the house? It’s a question many men have probably asked themselves at one point or another, as they were faced with unexpected housekeeping duties after getting married or having children. What would make this moment special is if you tell your mom what her gift is for all these years of raising you. It is not often that we get to see other people’s reactions when they hear the news that a celebrity is a mother or father, but in this case, it was such a special moment.
For those who don’t know, pop culture has been going through a momentary awakening when it comes to gender roles, prompting many celebrities to reevaluate their priorities and how they want to balance their professional and personal lives. While some are embracing a more traditional approach to family (like Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp), others are choosing to redefine the family unit (like Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez). It seems as though we’re seeing more and more celebrities express their feminism and advocate for change, particularly when it comes to parenting. In other words, it’s a perfect storm for inspiring parents, whether they’re famous or just want to be.
While some are choosing to remain children themselves for the time being, others are deciding that being a dedicated parent is more important than being a famous adult. What a gift if you can tell your mom – who raised you to be strong, independent, and a self-starter – that you’re going to do this for her. Thank you for being the best mommy you can be and for teaching me to be a man of my word.
One of the things that makes this moment so special is that it brought to light what many call the “empty nester” phenomenon. For those who don’t know, the “empty nest” refers to the time after a parent has given birth to children and before they start acting like a toddler again. During this time, they have a ton of free time, which makes them ideal parents for those who need someone to watch their kids while they work (or at least give them some quality one-on-one time). Whether your parents are famous or just want to be, this is the time when they can finally focus on you and what you need. It doesn’t hurt that it might also be the last time they’ll ever have free time with no kids around.
It’s a tricky moment when you are a parent and haven’t been raised by your mom, because you weren’t really sure what to say to her when she gave you the news. Would you hug her? Would you give her a heartfelt, “I love you”? Would you go down on one knee and propose? What’s the right thing to say?
When I was in high school, I had a huge crush on a girl named Christy. Every day before school, I’d walk to her house just to see if she was there or not. Her dad would always be there, so I’d go on my way. One day, Christy’s dad asked me if I wanted to be her bodyguard for the day. He was taking her to school in a fancy, big-boy car and needed someone to guard her from kidnapping, ransom, or murder. That’s when I knew I loved her. Turns out, she loved me too, and we’ve been together ever since. Thanks, Dad!
Love can be complicated, especially when you’re a teenager and haven’t fully worked through your feelings for your parents. Sometimes you have to wonder if they really know how you feel, because you’re not always sure if they’re listening or even care at all. With all the hormones raging, it can be hard to express how you feel sometimes, especially if you’re afraid that you might hurt your parent’s feelings.
When I got married, all of that changed. I didn’t just become a dad – I became the patriarch of a family. It was a role I didn’t see myself fitting into and am still trying to work through. What’s important now is that I can finally be the dad that my son needs and the husband that my wife needs. It’s a daily process, but one worth it.
Marriage is a commitment to support and protect your spouse, and as a father, that’s what I want to do for my son. He needs a strong, protective male figure in his life, and I want to be that man. It might not be easy, but it’s what he needs.
The Gift of Parenting
There are so many ways in which being a parent is a gift. It doesn’t matter if you’re a celebrity parent or just want to be a down-to-earth householder – parenting is a gift that you give to yourself and your family. It’s never easy, but it’s always rewarding when you think about all the benefits that come with parenthood. Let’s take a quick look at some of them:
- You get to see your child’s beautiful smile for the first time.
- You get to spoil them and tell them what makes them happy.
- You get to mold their personalities and teach them who you are and what you want from them.
- You get to understand what they like and don’t like (which can be very helpful in future parenting situations).
- You get to have a deeper connection with nature, as you both rely on the sun to sustain life.
It seems as though parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, once you get past the initial shock. After spending nearly all of your time caring for them, you realize that they grow up so quickly and that you’ve gotten so much out of the experience. It can also be very taxing, particularly if you’re a working parent, so be sure to get everything you need so that you can continue to provide for your children. It’s a parent’s job to protect their children, and that’s what you’re doing by getting things done. Just make sure that you take care of yourself, too, so that you can continue to parent effectively.
It can be difficult to find the balance between being a devoted parent and being a successful professional. When you’re faced with this challenge, it can help to think about what your parents would say. After all, they’ve been there all along and have seen you grow from a child into a man.