We Are the Need-Meeters
Todd Wilson
Friday, January 30, 2009
 1 of 1
Hey Dad,
Just got back from a weekend in Asheville, NC (voted by Rolling Stone Magazine as the freak capitol of the country) with my son Sam (13+). We visited the mammoth Grove Park Inn and stopped off at the birthplace of KFC … but didn't see a single freak.
It's always fun when I get to spend extended time with one of my children. It's amazing how different each one is, including his individual needs.
That's why I'm writing … because one of my child's needs is driving me nuts. He has an insatiable need to tell my wife and me how much he loves us each night at bedtime. He's always had a gentle heart, but it's getting borderline ridiculous.
Parenting experts like to describe how special bedtime rituals are … but those experts obviously don't have kids. Our bedtime ritual consists of my yelling and their dawdling. "Come on guys, let's move it. Have you brushed your teeth? Why didn't you think of that before now? No, you can't wear your cowboy boots to bed!!"
It's usually after the yelling has run its course that I make the rounds to each room. I pray, give big hugs, receive slobbery kisses, and then tell them how much I love them.
That's when the problem begins.
"I love you, Dad," he says.
"I love you too, Bud," I answer.
"Love you zillions."
"Yeah, I love you zillions, too."
"You're the best dad in the world."
"And you're the best kids in the world," I repeat back with a sigh. "Good night."
"Good night … Hey dad," he adds, "look."
I turn back to see him holding up four fingers, which is Wilson code for "I Love You More." I flash back four fingers with not even the slightest hint of a smile. And then I slip out of his room and down the hallway.
"Tell mom I love her more too," he hollers into the darkness. "Try to come in again soon," he adds. I don't even answer for fear of getting sucked back in.
Tough-guy dads would tell me to say it once and then nip it. But I know that my son needs to say and hear how much we love each other. And so I will give him what he needs, and starting tonight I will like doing it.
You know, Dad, I'm betting you have a child who needs something that only you can give. I'm even guessing that his "need" drives you nuts sometimes. Can I encourage you to try to meet that need today and like doing it?
You 'da Need-Meeter,
© 2009 Todd Wilson. Used by permission
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