These are a baker’s dozen lessons I have learned from being a parent that translate to all aspects of my life.

• The louder I am, the less I am heard.
• Words are the most dangerous thing in the house (parent to child AND child to parent).
• Alone time is something to cherish. Even if it is when you use the loo.
• Dinner at the dinner table is really about stopping the rush of life and spending time with those you care about.   Better the food, better the dialogue.  Seriously.  Oh, wait, if the food is really bad that works too.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are manmade ideas. Soup for breakfast is just fine. Quit judging me.
• Laughter is truly the best medicine. Well, unless you are sick. Really, don’t try to laugh it off, go to the doctor!
• Vacations create amazing memories. No matter how much you spend, it will be the little things about these times together that you will remember forever.
• Parent Of The Year Award is an elusive devil. I like my chances for next year. Maybe the year after that. We will see how January goes.
• Quality time will never surpass quantity time with family. More is always better. Quality is subjective. Quantity is measured by the plethora of treasured memories.
• Boys mature much slooooooower than girls. My guess is by 40 years or so. I think this is really why women have maternal instincts.
• Just when you think you have it all figured out, the rules change.
• Working should be about more than making money to pay the bills. It should be fulfilling. While this is not directly about parenting, it is something I am instilling in my son.   I want him to know it is okay to have it all.
• The greatest and most challenging job I will ever have is being a dad.   I am just grateful for the opportunity.