Being a parent is great.  It’s also tough stuff.  But, ultimately, it’s a journey that you go on with your child wherein you learn a lot about your child, the World and yourself.

As we begin this week, here are a few lessons I’ve learned of late:

1. Being a dad means twice a day I transform into a Mixed Martial Artist of toothbrushing submission holds. #youcanthaveyuckmouth #nocavities #ImnotdoingthistotortureyouIswear

2. Being a dad means I read about the life of Nelson Mandela and wish I could be half as good a role model for my son.

3. Being a dad means as far as my parents are concerned my new name is “Grandson’s Bodyguard”

4. Being a dad means my new fantasy is REM sleep.

5. Being a dad means I’ve started to investigate “home-schooling” for college. #broke #tuitioniscrazy #brokeagain #brokesomemore

6. Being a dad means the worst moments in life are the ones right after you realize you weren’t being a good role model. #nospitting #nocursing #nothrowingstuff

7. Being a dad means I’ve gotten really good at counting to three, as in “I’m gonna count to 3, and if [fill in the blank] doesn’t stop, there’s gonna be a problem.” #whathappenedtome #crotchetyoldman