I used to count down the hours until bedtime.
1 PM: "Only 7 more hours."
4 PM: "Only 4 more hours."
7 PM: "Only 1 more hour."
I was just trying to survive until the kids went to sleep and I could finally have peace.
Sound familiar?
Here's what changed everything for me:
I stopped saying "I HAVE TO" and started saying "I GET TO."
**HAVE TO vs. GET TO:**
❌ "I HAVE TO change another diaper"
✅ "I GET TO take care of my kids while they're little"
❌ "I HAVE TO answer a million questions"
✅ "I GET TO teach them about the world"
❌ "I HAVE TO clean the kitchen again"
✅ "I GET TO have a home and food to provide"
❌ "I HAVE TO deal with tantrums"
✅ "I GET TO shape how they handle emotions"
❌ "I HAVE TO put them to bed"
✅ "I GET TO tuck them in and tell them I love them"
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This isn't wacko positivity. It's reality.
One day, they won't ask you to play.
One day, they won't need you to tuck them in.
One day, they'll be gone.
And you'll wish you could go back to the chaos.
The shift from "have to" to "get to" doesn't make parenting easier.
But it makes it meaningful.
It reminds you: This is temporary. These moments won't last.
So when you're frustrated (and you will be), pause and ask:
"Am I seeing this as a burden or a blessing?"
You GET to be their dad. Not everyone has that.
Act like it.
@TheDrainmaker Gunther beats him at RR, he works TNA for a few months to help build the brand and viewership. Returns to WWE, retirement tour. Easy money for AJ. But I wonder if he’s deeply satisfied riding out into the sunset taking the easy road… imagine the contests that could be in AEW.