by the time I was my kids age, my father had been dead for half my life. I have no useful memories of him and retain no positive influence he had on my life.

I sometimes struggle with how unappreciative my kids are that I am still here and still trying to help them. But of course, they do not possess this frame of reference, so they can’t be grateful. And I have to be OK with that.

but when they’re particularly insolent, it’s tough. really tough.