On Saturday we went for a walk over our local park, it was a reasonably nice day and there were lots of families out and about.
We had a walk down by the river and eventually came out by the skate park. There was a Dad there with his two daughters, who were practising skate board tricks.
He was watching YouTube and then going through what they needed to do. It got to a point where he was going to have to try and demonstrate; fair play to him he got on a gave it a go. The act of watching what he was saying helped his daughters understand what he meant.
Great example, none of the easy Dadding of the 80’s; kick a football about for a few minutes and shout you in for tea. Translating skateboard skills from the internet in to live action demo.
The main problem for him though, was in that couple of minutes of demonstration he was wiped out. He wasn’t in great shape to look at but that doesn’t mean much; he wasn’t in great shape fitness wise.
It made me really great full for the time I’ve put in over lockdown working on my own fitness. I’m nowhere near as strong as I was before my bike crash but I can climb trees, hang from branches and provide the security the kids need to explore their surroundings.
Which came in handy when I was hanging from a bar to assist A across when he decided it would be better for him to dive at my legs and dangle down from there. Gratitude for working on pull ups this last 6 weeks certainly came in.
I thought being a Dad meant moaning about lights being left on and the heating being turned on before December. Maybe holding the back of a saddle while getting them used to two wheels.
Modern Dads have to climb trees, witches hats and all sorts of frames to encourage their kids. Skate board, learn tricks on bikes and roller blades, hold pads for kickboxing sessions. Become experts in YouTube and dance compilations from TikTok.
It’s hard work made easier if you have some physical fitness and strength.
November is coming up and I’m going to run something to help guys get started on their fitness plan during November. Let me know if you are interested.
Darren “not TikTokkin’ yet” Checkley
