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Read time: 2 min.

Join me as I share valuable lessons and profound insights I've gained on my journey. Let's unlock your hidden potential and explore deeper thinking with each newsletter.

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What's in store:

• The plan was simple - my father would teach us about the birds and the bees.
• Comparing generations, modern-day parents have a distinct advantage.
• Dysentery - diarrhea with blood or mucus, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
• Gladiator "Your faults as a son is my failure as a father."
• Quote: The father who does not teach his sons his duties is equally guilty

At the age of ten, with my brother at eight, my mother had an interesting idea: my father should take us on a "becoming a man" trip to the Zimbabwean bush. The plan was simple - my father would teach us about the birds and the bees, and the essence of being a man. Our destination was Hwange National Park (formerly known as Wankie game reserve) We arrived at dusk, setting up camp by the dam, sharing the space with just a few other campers, as if it were the off-season.

After a hearty braai dinner and some marshmallow roasting under the night sounds of the bush, we retired early. But before even 10 PM, my brother began vomiting intensely, drenching both of us. The night became a series of cleaning up and soothing, only to be interrupted by more vomiting. This pattern continued through the night. By morning, all three of us were unwell. Contaminated water at the campsite had given us Dysentery, which can bring about diarrhea with blood or mucus, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In the absence of medical help, we were left to cope.

For two days, we remained helpless, trying to stay hydrated and consuming plain toast when possible. The trip had turned into a disaster. Besides glimpsing a crocodile and a hippo in the dam, we hadn't encountered much wildlife. Lying on a barely-there patch of grass, drained and parched, we wished for relief. Little did we know, my father was wrestling with the challenge of delivering the "birds and the bees" talk amid this ordeal, questioning the wisdom of my mother's suggestion. Awkward conversations weren't his forte, and amidst our exhaustion, he pulled out a book, glanced at it, then tossed it aside before lying down beside us, gaze fixed on the sky.

Fortunately, we gradually recovered—first my dad and I and then thankfully my brother. The final days at the reserve were more enjoyable, marked by animal sightings. Yet, the anticipated conversation about life's mysteries never took place, and I held no grudge against my father for it. Reflecting on that period, I'm reminded of the schoolyard humiliations where my innocence made me an easy target for classmates' crude discussions. Now, as a parent, I comprehend the intricacies of my own parents' decisions. Their efforts to shield us from life's complexities carried both wisdom and pitfalls, a reality that often accompanies parenting without a playbook.

Comparing generations, modern-day parents have a distinct advantage over the baby boomers due to accessible technology, insights from experts, and parenting resources. However, it's both a blessing and a challenge. Parenting is tougher with technology, distractions, cultural shifts, and mental health concerns. Yet, if we use our advantages wisely and strive to learn best practices, we bear more responsibility to raise our children well. While the challenges are different, we can't easily justify failing our children, unlike Marcus Aurelius' poignant line to his son in the movie Gladiator: "Your faults as a son is my failure as a father."The legacy of parenting is as timeless as it is profound.

This particular line resonates strongly with me, as I perceive it as a true reflection of the intricate dynamics that can sometimes elude the connection between a parent and their child.

“The father who does not teach his sons his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.” —Confucius.
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In your day be courageous, confident, and curious.

Your Friend

Trev.

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