Who Wants To Be A Cowboy?

 

It’s funny watching my son grow up. It’s not funny in the conventional sense of “ha ha…” (okay sometimes it is). It’s funny seeing him want to walk in my footsteps.

 

 

Xander recently told me, “Dada, I want to be just like you.” I take delight in hearing my son say he wants to be like me. It also leaves me with a great sense of dread thinking he wants to be like me.

 

I am sure the world would agree it does not need two identical Aaron Brinker’s. In fact, if the world does think it needs two of me, I know my wife would disagree.

 

Making A Cowboy

 

Does wearing a cowboy hat and boots make me a cowboy? According to Xander, yes I am a cowboy. However, the facts are, I do not ride horses, ride a bull or work on a farm. (I can do a good two-step though).

 

Often, I will wear a cowboy hat and cowboy boots (more often than not). I wear them because I like to wear them. I am comfortable in them, and they are part of whom I am. Many of my friends grew up in the country or on farms. Growing up, my family “officially” lived in the city limits. (the last neighborhood in the city limits).

 

Today, my family lives in the city. We do not live in the country or on a farm. My son has never ridden a horse (except at carnivals), and he thinks he wants to grow up to become a cowboy.

 

My wife is not to happy about my son’s new found interest. Just the other day, we were all in the living room when Xander said, “I want to ride a bull!” I won’t deny my eyes beamed with pride. I have always wanted to ride a bull. (it looks fun)!

 

My wife had a horrified expression that made me chuckle aloud.

 

I asked Xander, “You think you want to ride a bull someday?” Xander started talking rapidly, “I do…I do…just like you dada!” I was getting ready to answer my son when Melissa’s voice cracked, and she said to me, “You know this is your fault, right?“

 

It’s not everyday a person get’s blamed for something they “never” did. “My fault? I have never ridden a bull in my life. How is that my fault?“

 

Melissa already knew what she was going to say, “Because he thinks you are a cowboy and cowboys ride bulls.“

 

I honestly could not argue with that statement. When I was growing up, I liked going to rodeos. I always saw cowboys riding bulls at rodeos. I always thought cowboys should ride bulls.

 

I knew Melissa was a little upset at the thought of her baby getting hurt on a bull and “tried” not to laugh (I was not successful).

 

 

Xander seemed to sense the tension in the room. He walked over to the chair and grabbed my cowboy hat. He put the hat on his head and told us, “I am going to ride dinosaurs like dada too!” Xander pretended to ride one of his overstuffed dinosaurs.

 

I started to laugh until a thought struck me, “I’m not that old!”

 

Xander smiled, “We ride dinosaurs together!”

 

It wasn’t just serious enough that he called me old, he used both of my hats for his dinosaur riding. (The white and the black).

 

Future Cowboy or Comedian

 

When we have children, it is inevitable they are going to pick up some of our habits. I wish my son would learn just my good habits. I know he is watching me, and he will pick up bad habits too.

 

My life will become more difficult the more that Xander act’s like me. I have already been told I am a stubborn “old” jackass (as in the mule). If Xander continues walking in my footsteps I have a feeling we might both become stubborn jackasses together.

 

I have been worried about the next few years with my son. (See Is Payback Inevitable?) Now, I am not so sure if I am worried about his future as a bull rider or a professional comedian that calls his dad old.

 

How do you feel about your children wanting to be like you? Do you feel flattered by it? or do you try to encourage them to be an individual? Tell me more about in the comments!

 

Read my last post here Blogging Basics – Am I A Writer?

 

Visit my home page and see more great posts on blogging, fatherhood, humor and life fast forward!

 

You can follow me on twitter @dadblunders or on my facebook fan page, Dadblunders.

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

 

Related articles

• Stock Show visits bring back good memories for a former rodeo kid
• Cowboys coming to Ballpark Village?

Tags: brinker, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, cowboys, footsteps, hat and boots, horses