Is being a dad hard?

First, let me say that this is not about politics. This is about the reality of parenting.

Here is a wonderful add showing just why President Obama is, in my mind, one of the most intelligent men of our day.

There are longer versions of this add that are worth listening to.

In principal there is nothing wrong with this add. In reality this add sets an authoritative principle that is probably the most dangerous thing I have heard lately. Primarily that being a dad "doesn't have to be hard, all it takes is a few minutes of your time."

The danger here is the idea that being a dad should be an easy "task" in your day. Of all the "good dads" that I know, not one of them believes that being dad is anything but hard and all consuming. Being a dad is about more than dinner, playing games, asking a few questions. The reality is that being a dad involves deciding when to say no, proper discipline, and being willing to give everything you have.

A slightly more insidious problem is the person watching this who struggles with "being dad" and sees their efforts as a failure. What do they see in this? Confirmation of their failure, an excuse to quit, proof that the problem is someone else? Kind of like the person who never tries because they are not qualified. I know that feeling because I see myself that way.

While I respect President Obama's position and believe that it is held with the best of intents, I feel that dad's need to remember that they have one of the toughest, most demanding, longest running jobs. Raising kids.

I'm just glad I am not a mom. That job is real hard.