Why would anyone take on the job of being a parent? “There are wonderful moments, but the essence of the contract is simply: They take. You give. This career comes with no sick days or vacation time, and it puts you permanently on call nights and weekends. It’s successful execution will probably turn you into a lifelong worrywart. Yet thousands say yes to this job.” (John Media, “Brain Rules for Baby”).

Time is the biggest challenge and constraint for most of us. This is true for moms and dads. A sense of overwhelm might be the norm. So much to learn, to do and it seems you can never keep up.

There is no owner manual, PDF to download or plug-and-play attachments and accessories for the daily challenges of being a mom or dad. The love for your child is there, but the time never is enough. Setting priorities is a shifting constant and a moving target. We do the best we can with what we have.

My Story

“He’s got his mother’s nose,” I thought as I gazed on Judson Pfeiffer, our first son. Pink, wrinkled, hairy, he was whole and healthy. The size and shape of his nose was more a point of reference. After the long and difficult pregnancy and delivery, he and his mother being alive and healthy was the most important thing.

For the next two days I drove to the hospital to visit Marie and marvel at our son. I couldn’t wait till all three of us could be together. That day came. I drove the car to the assigned place in front of the hospital. Marie and Judson were sitting a wheel car. I helped Marie get in the car and handed her the baby. As we drove away, I smiled and thought, “good, now I have my own family.”

Judson is grown and has 4 sons and a step daughter. Marchem our younger son had his first son in 2010. The family continues. I am grateful that our sons and wives and children are healthy. As a grandpa I can never the 5 grandchildren enough. For me, it is God’s way of giving me a second chance. What a joy! What a blessing!