October 26, 2010

There is No Excuse

Brandon here again!!!! I have something I have to get off of my chest today.

On occasions more often than not, I hear the conversations of MANLY men in my office building, the gym locker room, and many other places that guys talk. Beyond football, NASCAR, business transactions, hunting leases, and small talk, I hear something that really bothers me. I hear these MANLY men complain about how they couldn't finish watching "the game" because they had to BABYSITT their kids. It just infuriates me when I hear this. They are YOUR kids that you helped bring into this world, so why oh why would you call it babysitting?

The MANLY men, who walk around beating on their chests like they just field dressed a deer on the hood of their truck........in a business suit! LOL. It just really bothers me that some (not most or all) guys seem to think that fatherhood just means that their only responsibility is to put food on the table, but not much else. It almost seems as if it is an inconvenience to them to spend quality time with their families. I know that sounds a little extreme, but that is the overall tone of the conversations I hear.

I absolutely dread cutting my grass, especially with a push mower, but it is what it is. It normally takes me about an hour and half to cut all of my grass, so to me, that is an hour and half I could be playing with my kids. I already work about 10 hours a day during the work week, so my time at home during the week is very limited. Since I can't press the pause button to do chores or conquer the honey-do lists, I try my best to tie them together. Case and point - the pictures you see.
Marley has a great time laughing and playing while I pull her in her wagon all over the yard. She is happy because she is next to me and she gets to ride around, I am happy because she is enjoying herself, and I get the grass cut at the same time, and Elisa is happy because she gets little break, and can recharge her batteries a bit.

All I am trying to say is the MANLY men need to actually MAN UP!! Sometimes you have to be willing to try something different to get different results. I am just tired of hearing excuses like "The game is on", and "I just got home from work" to get out of doing what is the most important job they have....being fathers. Yes, I like watching sports, yes I have my own hobbies, yes I work very hard (and occasionally get stressed out) at my job, I am not a hypocrite. But I know that Miles and Marley are reading me, they are watching my every move, and learning from my behaviors....so yes, I will drop what I am doing for them just to let them know that they are my #1 priority (under my wife) and that I want to care for them. Even when I have bad days at work, I try my best to put a good game face on for them and leave work at work. Hopefully, if I do this thing right, my kids will remember how important they were to me and when they have kids they will do the same.

So for you MANLY men who can't EVER turn off NFL Network, have become slaves to the Xbox/Playstation/Wii Gods, or say they are just plain too tired........MAN UP, and do your job......THERE IS NO EXCUSE.

11 comments:

Kirksey Family said...

Love this!!! Brandon and I have discussed MANY times how it bothers us to hear a dad say I have to babysit....When they are your kids it's NOT babysitting! Totally agree!!!!

Abby/Roger said...

Wonderfully said, Brandon. This world needs more men like you.

Shonni said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have an awesome husband who loves his family and loves being with us all. I know that I am very blessed.

Anonymous said...

You ROCK, Elisa's Husband!! :)

Kendra said...

Well said Brandon!!

Therealjerrydugan said...

Awesome! I blogged about this earlier today, too! It's at http://therealjerrydugan.blogspot.com and the blog post is called "Marriage: Are you doing 'your part' or are you 'all in'"?

Men have got to be "all in" when it comes to having a strong marriage and raising a grounded family. Otherwise, don't even bother showing up and don't be surprised in divorce court with children who learn to despise you because you were never really there.

Unknown said...

I just pray that there are more men out there like you and more that have manned up. You're an amazing role model. Luv you guys. Kisses to the family. -Aunt Reesie

Jenny86753oh9 said...

You know how much I think you rock the Daddy thing...now I'm telling everyone about it. You're a great man, Brandon!

MichelleF said...

Well said Brandon! I just wish someone I knew was like that... Unfortunatly he could be one of the ones you talked about.

Toni Lynch said...

AMEN!!! And thank you for posting this....now I just hope some MEN READ THIS BLOG!!!

Yes I am still out here watching from afar and enjoying the children grow up!!!

Anonymous said...

I posted on my facebook. I hope you have a great time. -icy bailey