I'll never be Super Dad and that's okay

Super Dad? Not even close

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I decided to ask the people who read this blog what types of topics they'd like to see covered outside of the usual wrestling posts. Parenting has been a popular pick, so today I'm tackling the issue. You may see more blogs on the subject in the near future as I'm working on some new ideas for the future of My 1-2-3 Cents. Stay tuned for those details.

Growing up my parents were mine and my brother's biggest supporters. My dad coach soccer teams year after year and he served as a leader in Boy Scouts going on countless campouts and hikes with the troop. My mom was a den mother, served as the president of the PTO and volunteered at several other functions. In high school, they attended my brother's wrestling matches and football games. They cheered me on at cross country meets (including the 2.5 hour trip to Sikeston each year), track meets and school plays. 

Spring Break in Gatlinburg, TN

When I had kids it was my plan to be just as involved in our kids' lives. And thanks to the schedule I work, I'm able to attend just about every activity the kids do. Despite them being embarrassed if we cheer too loud, my wife and I wouldn't miss these opportunities for anything. But having three kids that are part of teams and clubs sometimes someone gets shuffled to another parent. That's where the "It takes a village" concept really helps.

But does that make us Super Parents? Of course not. While we are active in our kids' lives and spend as much time as possible with them, there are plenty of times we would not be awarded Parent of the Year trophies.

• We cuss in front of our kids. Sometimes the F-bomb even gets dropped.

• We've had cake, ice cream and even candy for dinner at times.
  
•  All three kids have their own smartphone and are on social media. In fact, my 16-year-old has a better phone than both of us. Sometimes we text each other from down the hall. 

Lucha Dad & Lucha Daughter

• I've made the kids dress up and participate in some of my silly antics. Most of the time they're good sports. The teenagers are no longer required to do this.   

• Laundry doesn't always get folded and put away in a timely matter. Ironing is a great rarity here.
  
• The kids don't make straight As (or Bs). They drop the ball on the field, hit a sour note in the band or miss a step in a cheer competition. We don't dwell on these moments. They're learning lessons and we move on. I recently heard the phrase "You win some, you LEARN some." It's a good strategy to use in life.
  

The Hecks
Courtesy: ABC

I'm sure I'm forgetting other less-than-perfect parenting moments around here. But you get the point. I wanted to share this because there's no such thing as the perfect parent. Many times people on social media and bloggers like to present a picture-perfect view of their lives. I like to compare our family to the Hecks on the ABC comedy The Middle. Enjoy the time you have while the birds are still in the nest and no one can say we're not doing that.

Vince McMahon is just being a dad

Shane McMahon flying high
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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As a wrestling fan I was annoyed when Shane McMahon showed up to run Monday Night Raw 24 hours after losing to the Undertaker at WrestleMania.  The stipulation for the Hell in a Cell was of course that if Shane won, he got control of Raw.  He lost.  So why did he get to run things Monday?  Now it appears Shane will be back for week two of playing the role of GM.

"The Money" returns April 11 to Raw

However, as a dad I get it.  Vince McMahon was trying to teach his son a lesson.  If I had a dollar for every time I made an idle threat against one of my kids I too would be a billionaire running a wrestling, I mean sports entertainment company.

Our parents did it to us and if you have kids you probably do it too.  "Stop fighting or we'll turn this car around and go back home."  Yeah that never happened.  "Eat all your vegetables or you won't get dessert."  Twenty minutes later there's a trail of cookie crumbs on the floor.  

Family feud
Courtesy: WWE

Simply put, Vince made a bold statement out of anger.  He really had no intention of following through on his threat.  And face it; WWE had no credible opponent for the Undertaker this year.  It was really the best option given the list of Superstars currently out injured.  At the same time it's clear the company hasn't done its job in developing the next wave of talent.  Plus, look how popular Shane has been since the announcement of the match.  It’s a nice slice of nostalgia.  I’m sure Triple H, Stephanie and Vince will be back to their shenanigans in no time.

But as Jim Cornette recently said on The Ross Report, "What road you take depends on what your destination is. Since we don't know the destination we don't necessarily know whether somebody's taking the right road or not.  Trust your cab driver."  So that's what I'm going to do.  Trust our cab driver in this case WWE Creative.  And remember, Vince is doing what dads do.  He may be human after all.

Facing 40: I'm Not Normal

My family at Holiday World

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

The headline probably isn't necessary for readers who actually know me.  But this post isn't about my obsession with wrestling or Smurfs or cheesy 80's movies.   As I get older (I'll be 40 next month), I realize that the journey of life for my family has been much different than what I experienced growing up.  I'm going to attempt to make sense in this blog, but honestly my thoughts are scattered.

My childhood was normal, or at least what I perceive to be as normal.  My parents both worked and worked hard.  They still do.  They loved my brother and I unconditional.  They still do and now that they have daughters-in-law and grandchildren there's even more love to spread.   They were very involved in our schooling and extra curricular activities, something that I've done (or at least tried to as a parent)

Here's the difference.  My wife and I have three kids.  We no longer have that "man-to-man defense."  We're outnumbered and most nights, I'm really outnumbered.  This is a typical week right now: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, gymnastics, dance, martial arts (starting this week), basketball practice/games, and baseball lessons.  Then there's homework, the occasional band concert, or competition.  I'm not complaining.  I really am not.  Up until recently I questioned my dedication as a parent and wondered if I was doing enough to be a part of my kids' lives.  I've come to the conclusion that I am.  I think.

My wife works most evenings, so it's usually up to me to get everyone where they need to be.  I love that she's home on Wednesday nights as it gives me a midweek break from the action.  Sometimes I have to rely on the help of friends, as it truly does take a village to raise a child.  I've had to cut back on the things I do to.  My schedule at work has changed slightly, but long story short, I get up at 2 a.m. to be at work by 2:30.  The benefit: I'm off usually by 11:15, which allows me time to come home and have some "me time" to write blogs or make YouTube videos.  The downside: With most activities going into the early evening hours, I usually only get about 5 or 5 and a half hours of sleep.

I don't want this post to seem like I'm complaining, but I'm not.  I love my life and wouldn't change anything (except add more hours to the day so I could get a few more hours sleep).  I'm curious to hear how other busy parents do it.  I truly feel for single parents or folks with more than three kids.  I want to be the best dad I can be to my kids, and I think they know I'm there for them.