What Are You Good At?

I brought the two younger kids for swimming this morning. As we were heading out the door, my son asked me a random question "What are you good at Daddy?". I thought for moment and asked him whether he meant if I had a hobby. I was hoping that that was his question or I would have difficulty making up an answer. 

A few evenings ago, I took the both of them to the dentist. They both had cavities that needed filling. After fixing their teeth, the doctor suggested that I should buy less sugary snacks for them. I nodded in agreement. Some room for improvement there for me; certainly not what I was good at. The doctor also asked me what time the kids normally went to bed. Perhaps he was surprised that the kids were still alert and active at 8.30pm whilst he was treating them. I hesitated for a second before I told him that they go to bed at 10.30pm. The doctor was surprised and asked me if that was because they take a nap during the day. I was glad he reminded me; I explained that they do take a long after school nap. Not great but not bad either.

That evening as I was chasing the kids to get ready for their bedtime, my son said this with a cheeky smile "You told the dentist that we go to sleep at 10.30". I gave him my usual monster stare and he couldn't contain his laughter. He caught me telling a white lie. I told him that he and his sister got me into trouble with the dentist because they refuse to sleep early.

So what am I good at? Before I could answer my son's intended question, my daughter offered some suggestions, as if she was answering the question on my behalf " Take care of us? Cook for us? Take us out?" My heart swelled up with pride and I thanked her for being so kind. 

I can't honesty say that I am great at parenting but I am glad the kids are appreciative of the effort.