Overcoming Barriers

One of the most important qualities to being an effective parent is a willingness to overcome personal barriers that get in our way. My own dad provides a sobering example of how destructive it can be when a parent stays stuck.

One of the few times he showed up to one of my baseball games, he was stone-cold drunk. When I came to bat, I was so mortified I couldn’t move. Dad yelled awful things at the umpire as pitch after pitch zipped past me. When the game was over, I was so humiliated that I ignored him completely. What was there to say? Both of us had struck out.

Sadly, my father never overcame his barriers. He eventually drank himself to death. The tragic thing is it didn’t have to be that way. And it doesn’t have to be that way for you, either. It starts with the willingness to reach out for help. So, today, I want to encourage you: Don’t let your barriers keep you from becoming the mom or dad that your kids need you to be.

If you need help taking those first steps, speak with one of our counselors at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).