Had a “good Dad” Moment the other night

As a parent I often wonder if I’m doing the right things to teach and steer my kids in the right direction. It’s not something I worry about, but it sits in the back of my mind and pops up from time to time. I can certainly recall the “bad dad” moments, like forgetting a fancy dress day at creche; all the other girls were fairies and princesses and I got “the look” from my eldest.

One of the worst was during a work Christmas function at Luna Park and my (then) 4yo wanted to go on the scenic railway. She was under the height restriction but as it was a closed event no-one seemed to mind. I’d forgotten how severe some of the drops were on the ride. She freaked out; screaming and clinging on to me. I was convinced that I’d stolen her childhood away and the fearlessness that normally dwindles away over the years.

As my girls got older I realised that I hadn’t done irreparable damage. Both had their mother’s thrill seeking ways; they weren’t to be the “theme park ride coward” that their father is. The both loved the parks on the Gold Coast and then Disney & Universal in the US last year.

Tuesday night was further confirmation of this, with my eldest’s Guide troop going to the Nunawading Hardrock indoor climbing centre. I wasn’t climbing, I was one of the parents on belay duty. We started with the instructor guided climbs on the beginners walls. Maddy was chomping at the bit to get onto the big walls (must be 20m at least). So we moved onto the big walls and she loved it, climbing as far as she could then swinging down on the safety rope. At times she looked like the classic photos of climbers on huge outside walls; stretched out sideways and leaping for the next handhold. Looking up at her with all the confidence in the world I had my “good Dad” moment.

I think this might be a recurring activity, she’s already talking about me getting on the wall next time (we’ll see about that).