On Raising Kids

I have a foggy recollection that someone in the comments section of this blog once asked me how to raise kids. It was half a joke -- one of the many memes that was making the rounds of the blogosphere at the time. Be that as it may, I brushed aside the question then because I was not an expert on the topic. I still am not, but here and now, ten years later, I present one or two things I may have learned along the way. Talk about slow reflexes!

Don't raise your kids to be clones of yourself. It almost never works, unless your kid isn't terribly bright. And besides, why would you want a clone? Let's face it, you kinda suck. You want your kids to be different, and better, than you.

Treat your kids like adults, as long as they treat you like an adult.

Accept the fact that you stopped being cool a long time ago. Be proud of how lame you are and remember that it is not your job to be cool; it is your job to be responsible.

Give your kids the best start in life you possibly can, and then -- and this is the hardest part -- stand back and accept the fact that it is their race to win or lose.