QUESTION: What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for my father. I look back and am grateful for the time he spent and the sacrifices he made and how much he did for me as a kid... and still does.
"Now looking back, he was at every game. He coached patiently and encouragingly. He took time to learn the sports that we wanted to play."
QUESTION: What is it about your father that makes you most grateful?
I would say now, his example. His patience, his humility, his kindness. I look and see what he did for me as a child -coaching our teams, barely sleeping, working long hours, never complaining about it, and now being in a similar situation with the same amount of kids having to provide and do that and also coach and trying to be a great dad to my kids that I have. I look back and can see his example, and I’m really grateful for that.
QUESTION: How has your father's example impacted you parenting?
I guess a lot of it as far as life and parenting. He coached me with every sport growing up... basketball, soccer... he was always there. At the time you don't appreciate it. But, now looking back, he was at every game. He coached patiently and encouragingly. He took time to learn the sports that we wanted to play. Now, being a dad, I coach three of my kids' teams. I got into coaching to give back because of what my dad had done.
QUESTION: How many kids do you have?
We have five kids
QUESTION: What sports are you coaching your kids in?
I tried my hand at coaching basketball with the girls. I don't know as much about it, but it’s still fun. I've also coached my daughters and boys in soccer.
QUESTION: What have you found to be the most challenging, when following your dad's example?
I would say just the time and the focus required to do everything. I enjoy soccer, I enjoy the sports. I love my kids. But, to be able to be so patient and engaged when it's 8 o'clock or 9 o'clock and you've had a long day at work followed by long practices... it's tough. Granted now is the time of cell phones and distractions, but to be able to find time and to be able to listen when there are other things weighing on my mind and there’s other things I’d like to get done. It's a challenge.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to aspiring parents trying to manage all of that?
I think just be yourself and write some goals with each child... something you want to do. Because, otherwise, time flies by. I’m a creature of habit, so if I don't force myself to do new things with them and try to focus on those things, I’m going to miss out on their childhood. So I would say make sure there are things that you want to do with your kids and make sure they happen.
"Make sure there are things that you want to do with your kids and make sure they happen."
