This Silly Challenge My Son Gave Me Was a Reminder Every Parent Needs

With four kids under 10 years old and a new puppy, there is rarely a dull moment in our house. It’s a brand-new year, and as winter continues, we’re always looking for fun ways to keep everyone entertained indoors when it’s bitterly cold outside. Recently, my kids challenged me to try something they learned at school, and it didn’t go quite as well as I had planned.

Never Too Old to Learn

I’m constantly learning new things through the eyes of my children. It’s amazing how much joy kids find in the simplest moments. I truly miss those days of being able to relax, laugh freely, and enjoy life without the daily stress that adulthood brings. Balancing a career while being present as a parent can be challenging. But the longer I’m a dad, and the older our kids get, the more I’m learning to appreciate the small moments that eventually turn into big memories.

Challenge and The Fail

Our second-oldest son, Teddy, is seven years old, and he challenged me to try something new. I had never really thought about running with the same arm and the same leg moving at the same time. But what the heck, I gave it a shot.

As a parent, I often find that in the heat of the moment things can feel stressful and overwhelming. Then, the next day, I look back and wish we had more time. Even the moments that feel like they drag on forever, or don’t go quite as planned, often mean something very different to the kids. When you ask them about their favorite memories, it’s often the mundane, chaotic moments that stand out the most.

Frustration is Totally Worth It

This happens a lot on road trips. Mom and dad are exhausted, the kids seem like a nightmare, and everyone is ready to be done. But looking back, you don’t remember the stress, you remember the laughter and the fun you had together.

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Have you tried this challenge yet? It reminds me of another one where I attempted to spin my finger in one direction while moving my toes in another. It’s goofy and maybe a little embarrassing, but the kids absolutely love it. One person commented on the video that these are the moments you want to hang onto, and I couldn’t agree more.

Even if it means being the class clown at home, hearing my kids laugh makes every embarrassing moment worth it.