My 2013 season was a rollercoaster. I was the backup QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and we battled a ton of distractions in the first few weeks of the season. We were adjusting to a new coach, dealing with a MRSA outbreak in the locker room, and, to top it all off, started 0-8 on the field. Talk about stressful. We didn’t quit, stayed focused, and won 4 of our next 5 games after that awful start. Our group showed resiliency in a league that demands it.
It’s the same at home for me now with my four kids. They get sick, injured, and have their feelings hurt sometimes. Managing all that can feel like I’m riding a bull in a hurricane. So, I try to embrace it. I focus on my parenting goals because parenting isn’t for the weak. If you’re wondering how you’re going to make it when your dad duties feel overwhelming, don’t give up. Instead, lock in. Here are 5 times dads must battle through.
1. Deadlines
Deadlines are not a bad thing. They keep us on task and striving toward a goal. But they can also bring challenges. When you feel the crunch to get stuff done, things can get stressful. Battle through by figuring out how to treat everyone well, even though you’re carrying added stress. Cope with the weight while honoring, caring for, and speaking kindly to your families. Tame your deadlines to avoid the dangers of distracted parenting.
2. Technologies
AI and social media have become an inescapable part of modern life. Dads must battle through the tech maze. Set boundaries around the technologies in your home. Stay on top of what you let your kids use. Set time limits on tech, and make sure you have full access to their passwords. Also, battle yourself. Your habits trickle down to your kids, and if you don’t like how often they have tech in their hands, consider putting your phone down.
3. Self-Care
Working out, playing golf, and relaxing with a book are all good. But if your “me time” eats into family time, then it’s become, at best, a distraction, and at worst, an escape. Battle through those moments when you’re tempted to choose yourself over family. Incorporate your kids. Take them with you on Home Depot runs. Finding a healthy balance is how you avoid distracted parenting.
4. Ambitions
You want to write a book? Start a business? Great! Chase your dreams, but understand that your ambitions must also be battled. Your aspirations will dominate your schedule if you’re not careful. They will cause you to obsess, ignore other parts of your life, and push family to the edge of your calendar. Battle through the tunnel vision that often comes with ambitions.
5. Societal Pressure
On paper, this is easy to ignore. In reality, societal pressure can squeeze us all. There’s pressure to act or present a certain way, which shows off what you have more than who you are. Battle through pressure by remembering your values. You are more than your job, possessions, or social circle. Your identity as a husband and father trumps all that.
Sound off: How often do you feel like you slip into distracted parenting?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is the biggest battle you’ve ever fought?”