Chapter 1: The Influence of Parenthood

As I sit in my kitchen, I observe my little ones, engrossed in a movie. They are just 3 and 1 years old, and I've realized that everything I do revolves around them. It wasn't until I became a parent that I truly felt myself maturing. Suddenly, I had a purpose that transcended my own needs.

Each day brings a new lesson in fatherhood. While I may never have all the answers, that uncertainty is part of the journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My writing on Medium started with the hope of reducing my work hours so that I could move towards a smaller family homestead—a nurturing environment where my children can thrive amidst nature and appreciate life's real beauty. This would be a safe, loving space they could always call home.

Reflecting on our recent day together, I think of their swimming lessons and the gymnastics class my son attended. I cherish watching him practice, and I make it a point to see him whenever I'm free from work. I’m consistently amazed by his abilities at such a young age, but this has also created a challenge for me. I need to keep up and learn these skills myself.

I fear the day he comes home asking for help with gymnastics and I find myself unable to assist. While I recognize there will be areas beyond my expertise—gymnastics is highly technical and requires years of dedication—I can still work on enhancing my foundational bodyweight skills, particularly pull-ups and muscle-ups, which are vital in gymnastics strength training.

I’ve committed to achieving 10 strict muscle-ups by the close of 2024. While this is a specific goal, the broader message is that when my children pursue activities, I aspire to be fit and capable enough to join them. Admittedly, I won't have all the solutions to their queries, nor can I do everything they want, and that’s perfectly reasonable. However, I must strive to improve in the areas they are involved in.

Currently, they both participate in structured swimming lessons once a week. As they grow and become more skilled swimmers, I anticipate they’ll want to engage in more family activities, which means I need to enhance my own swimming abilities. Though I’m not a poor swimmer—I’ve completed an open water triathlon—I can't rest on past achievements. I must continue to elevate my skills for their sake, a commitment I refuse to compromise.

I admired my father, and I hope that one day, my children will look up to me in the same way. So, despite my busy schedule, I’m ready to start gymnastics as well.

In the video titled "Your CHILDREN Will Be Your Greatest Motivator," the speaker discusses how children serve as a driving force for personal growth and motivation. They emphasize the importance of being a positive role model for one's kids, inspiring parents to engage in activities that foster both their well-being and the children’s development.

Chapter 2: Embracing New Challenges

The second video, "The secret to motivating your child | Jennifer Nacif | TEDxSanDiego," offers insights into nurturing motivation in children. It outlines strategies for parents to effectively encourage their kids, promoting a healthy balance between support and independence.