Do whatever it takes

In high school, a friend on both the cross-country and canoeing teams lost an important cross-country race a week before the canoeing nationals. "Cry, scream, punch a bag. Do whatever it takes to release your emotions," my coach told him. "Then I want you to be ready for the nationals next week."

I thought about that incident this week. For two days in a row, I had a string of battles with my son over simple routines like going to bed and getting ready for school. At the peak, I was so mad that I texted my wife, "I just don't care anymore." But that was also the turning point. Where was the loving father I'm proud of being? I realized I should find a way to let go of my anger.

Do whatever it takes. Then be ready to be a loving father again.

I went for a long walk, wrote, and browsed books at Kinokuniya (my happy place). Subconsciously, I picked up four books on parenting and fatherhood. At that point, I realized I had finally moved on from those battles and was ready to try and be a loving father again.

(Obviously, don't do anything illegal or harmful.)

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