Growing up I never wanted kids. I wanted to have the freedom to do what I wanted because I saw how much work I was for my parents. Plus, I didn't know what kind of dad I could possibly be. Now I am 30 and life didn't exactly play out the way I had expected it to.
When I tell people that I have four kids, they usually tell me that I am crazy and then wish me luck. When I further explain that I have four daughters, people just start laughing. I am a large stereotypical "scary dad"; 6'4", 225lbs and covered from head to toe in tattoos, but when it comes to my girls I am powerless, and that just makes people laugh harder.
I won't lie, I always wanted a son. And it was that want of a son that persuaded my wife and I to keep trying, but after four daughters, I think it's time to retire. I mean, I didn't know the first thing about little girls, I didn't know how I would relate to them, or how to encourage them to enjoy the things I loved. It's not like they will be lining up to put on a football helmet anytime soon. Though I may be trying to put the idea in their heads.
What I have come to realize is that right now things are easy, they are just having fun being kids and they are just learning about who they are. But these fun and easy years are soon going to be behind us. No longer will I be faced with adorable little girls, but instead will be outnumbered by hormonal teenage women... I am screwed.
I know that I would look at parenting differently if I had sons, but the premise to it all remains the same. The way I go about doing it just gets tweaked. As a father I want to protect my kids, and with daughters that takes on a whole new meaning.
Right now it's all jokes when I talk about taking the teenage boys who try and date them out back and bury them under the vegetable garden. My friends laugh, my wife tells me to stop being stupid, but how will I react when that day comes? I was a teenage boy, I know how they think.
I look back to when I was 23 and my oldest daughter was born. I had no idea what I was doing as a parent, it truly is the hardest job in the world. There is no manual on how to do it the right way, each child is different, and even if you think you have seen it all before you haven't, each day I am surprised at the amazing things my kids are capable of.
At the end of the day I have to allow them to grow up into strong, independent women. They will always be my little girls who used to sleep in my arms, but one day they will find solace in the arms of another.
As parents, just do the best job you can and do everything you can to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed in this world.