I have a lot of kids. Here are my highlights…
I get told many times every day that I’m loved.
I have a box on my bedside locker with all the tiny gifts I’ve been given over the years. It’s over half the surface area of the locker In it go small rocks, sticks, drawings, little notes, flowers (dried), whatever. Anything given unexpectedly and with love. I did put sweets in it for a while but that caused a mess.
All the kids who still live at home are comfortable enough to snuggle in with me on the couch to watch a show or movie. The eldest of those is 19 next week so I really consider that a win.
I get a morning hug every morning from my youngest.
I feel very lucky. Kids have been such a gift to me and I try really hard to be a kind and loving dad.
I have one who’s difficult. She’s just turned 16. I’m a very chill parent but sometimes I have to be firm with her. I tell myself I’m trying to raise her to be kind which she struggles with sometimes as she’s very self focused but she’s getting there and I have high hopes she’ll turn out great.
So I suppose the answer to your question from my perspective is just “keep on trucking with the goal in mind”.