Neil Mackay has written a  great piece on modern fatherhood. There is something quite primitive about becoming a parent. It taps into a deeply rooted part of our evolutionary history of protecting and nurturing our offspring. Having worked with lots of  men and women in my career as a probation officer, it is the one thing I’ve noticed every parent has in common, a desire to be the best and a worry about being the worst. It’s so easy to focus on all the things that you don’t do well as a parent and blame yourself for everything your child does wrong. Being the best parent you can be isn’t always easy, but it’s always possible.

Believe it or not, the greatest gift you can give your children is your own happiness!