We were in the Bronx this past weekend. My wife and her family was celebrating the life and death of their grandmother; she would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year. Well, the Bronx for me is always a treat. I love the constant activity, the smell of the streets, the racket of the 4 and 5 trains, and the people. So many cultures wrapped into one place. New York is a great place.
As I usually do, I go to White Plains Road and order some slices of pizza. Throw some garlic and oregano on and I am good to go! Since the whole family was with me and everyone was hungry, I ordered a whole pie. While waiting, I watched my two boys in the pizza shop. They reminded me of NY and Cali pizzas. My oldest sat in the front of the shop watching the college football game, oblivious to the other people and commotion of the streets. My youngest stood in the back of the pizza shop in the open window facing the street watching the people go by and listening for the trains, oblivious to the fact the my wife and I were watching him. It is safe to say that the oldest is an introvert (like his dad). He is fine with reading a book or watching the latest scores on ESPN. The youngest is the opposite- he loves to be in the mix and usually asks if we can stay out a little while longer instead of going home. Both are fine in their own way.
It was reminded how I truly have to be conscience of each of their own needs. I also need to take them out of their comfort zone so that they can know how to function. It's a delicate process, but I, with God's help, am going to make it work.
I wanna know what you do. Any secrets on how you meet those needs? I would love to know how other fathers do this (moms, you know I am not excluding you here!) How do you make and juggle the time to do this? School me -- I have no off season for learning...
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