Being a good role model is not natural, so reflection helps.

I need to do a better job of controlling my impulse to be harsh when the boy is being immature and overly playful. That’s more a comment about me because I fear being my dad. It never occurred to me that I had no idea how to parent, not because I’ve never had kids; but I search for guidance because I’ve never had a male figure in my life that I could model. Well not one I wanted to model myself after. I feel like I made myself (all the imperfections included) from nothing because of the things I knew I didn't want to be, but I want to give him the tools to do more.