Sometimes it really sinks in -- being a dad is amazing!

Sometimes everyday life just passes on like trucks on a highway.
I run my own business and have loads to do all the time. I try to spend as much time as I can with my 3 boys, and physically I´m with them quite a lot. Mentally however.. well, that´s sometimes another story.

Since I started my business a bit over a year ago, my mind and thoughts have obviously been revolving a lot around the company. Getting everything up and running, getting new customers, developing new products and markets, finding new partners, business strategies etc etc. There´s been a weight on my shoulders to make this work. It´s not pulled me down. It´s been a good kind of weight, but also very time and mind consuming.

I´ve found myself thinking about work a lot around the dinner table at home, when I´m playing football with the kids, putting them to bed..

I´m not trying to do this guilt trip on myself, because sometimes I think you just need to focus quite narrowly on some things in life for a period of time. It´s ok. That´s how life is sometimes I guess?
And so, this is not why I´m posting this.

Today I just wanted to focus on my feelings in those (lately quite few) moments that I actually feel I am 100% present with my kids.

Like today.

My wife has been sick for a couple of days, and we had planned to go to our cabin today.
The kids were excited about going but got disappointed when they understood that mom wasn`t up for it yet. She wanted to wait a day or two.
So I told my wife I´d take them today and then she could come in a day or two when she was feeling well.
(I knew she´d LOVE that idea, as she usually dont get much time alone with 3 small boys wanting her attention ALL the time and a husband running his own business..)
I was right. I could see the relief in her face and she was very happy to just stay home, get well, see some TV series and not be distracted!

So, we quick-packed (the way only a dad can do!) and got in the car.
The sun was shining, Foo Fighters on the stereo and the BOYS were on the road!
I actually put on some Norwegian hip-hop at first, cause I thought the oldest (he´s 7) wanted that.
After 1 1/2 song he said:
"Dad, let´s put on some Foo Fighters. I like more the rock thing.."
I have only played Foo Fighters for him once before about a month ago! Being an old rocker and huge Foo Fighters fan myself I was delighted!

There was laughter, there was father-to-son talk, there was farting, burger stops, diaper changing and bear pics!

When we finally arrived at the cabin after 4 hours drive (without any bickering mind you!), we opened the "Welcome-to-the-cabin-gifts": SOAP BUBBLE FANS!

THAT`S WHEN IT HIT ME!
I´m here. I´m present. 100%. With my beautiful, funny, smart, energetic, crazy boys that I love so incredibly much. I suddenly was fully aware of details in things they did or said that I hadnt noticed before.
It was so amazing and it was an experience I havent had for a while.

SO BEAUTIFUL!!

To all of you busy, guilt-ridden dads and moms out there:
It´s ok. Life´s busy. Off course we all wish we managed to live more in the present and that we were these perfect superparents always being fully there for our kids. But we´re not. And that´s ok. Off course we can make some choices to prioritize differently when needed, but dont beat yourself up.
As long as the kids have a general ongoing experience of being loved and cared for they´ll most likely turn out to be pretty decent human beings! :)

Just remember to stop every now and then. Cherish and value the times you do get a magical everyday moment with your kids.

When you do you´ll feel so alive!

Peace, Peter