This is my biggest regret about my childhood and what I blame my parents for the most: I didn’t learn how to persevere. Being real and authentic can sometimes be a little bit uncomfortable depending on which side of the fence you are on. If she bites me in my big, dumb face, that means she’s teething so I give her pain meds for her teeth.

Well, it’ll probably hurt your pride, but if you’d look in the mirror, you’d see how ugly you are and then you’d know there is nothing to be proud of. We need to step up, step in to that insecurity, and realize that we really can be just as good a care provider as our partners. I think I have the same “opposite action” thing going on from him, especially lately now that I’ve realized the ways he is flawed.Each one of us has something to offer the world, something unique that is special to us, people who love us, and you’re included in this.

We’re all so unsure about what it is to be a strong father, that we’re left alone without a role model.

He’d pick at her, subtly insult and provoke her and all of this went right over the heads of the short and ignorant children that we were. They’re not friendly and if he fancies a chat he always has to initiate, and even that doesn’t always go well.