--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think it's really important as a parent…" description: "\"I think it's really important as a parent to be present, and I really, really worked hard because my dad struggled with that. And it really bothered me..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/kirk-herbstreit-18325_dad_i-think-it-s-really-important-as-a-paren_3193412.jpg" --- # I think it's really important as a parent to be present… ![“I think it's really important as a parent to be present, and I really, really worked hard because my dad struggled with that. And it really bothered me as a kid that I would want to share something with him, and he didn't hear me.” quote by Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/kirk-herbstreit-18325_dad_i-think-it-s-really-important-as-a-paren_3193412.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/kirk-herbstreit-18325_dad_i-think-it-s-really-important-as-a-paren_3193412.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29a/kirk-herbstreit-18325_dad_i-think-it-s-really-important-as-a-paren_3193412.jpg) > “I think it's really important as a parent to be present, and I really, really worked hard because my dad struggled with that. And it really bothered me as a kid that I would want to share something with him, and he didn't hear me.” [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents should be actively present; the speaker’s father’s absence motivated him to be engaged. **In simple terms:** Being present matters; his dad’s lack inspired him. Key Takeaway Prioritize active listening with your children. Themes parenting presence family dynamics Mood thoughtful concerned Type advice parenting When to use this quote - family meals - school events - daily conversations - supportive routines Key Concepts emotional availability generational impact role modeling Questions to Reflect On - What barriers prevent you from being fully present? - How can you create moments of genuine connection? A Different Perspective Being present is challenging amid busy schedules. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [“As a mother I see the future in the present. 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That is a really underrated campus. It shocked me when I went there because I really didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-love-going-to-columbia-missouri-that-is-a-really-underrated-campus/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [With the Capital One Bowl, the average fan might think whoopty do. But if you are a team member, you win that game and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/with-the-capital-one-bowl-the-average-fan-might-think-whoopty-do-but/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [Work will always come second to my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/work-will-always-come-second-to-my-kids/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I ended up doing a job that I absolutely love. 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Ohio State's always been Ohio State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/my-dad-played-at-ohio-state-my-dad-coached-with-woody-hayes-ohio/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I think that college football is still a sport where fans really feel urgency every week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-think-that-college-football-is-still-a-sport-where-fans-really-feel/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I think Jameis Winston will be a superstar in the NFL. I think all his off-the-field problems that he's had will push him in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-think-jameis-winston-will-be-a-superstar-in-the-nfl-i-think-all-his/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I love fan bases where it matters so much. In that state, with both Alabama and Auburn in the same state, it just makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-love-fan-bases-where-it-matters-so-much-in-that-state-with-both/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I have four boys - two of them are 18 - and I have to protect them sometimes from themselves because they're not emotionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-have-four-boys-two-of-them-are-18-and-i-have-to-protect-them/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [It's hard to describe to people unless you're a college football fan, the energy of it, the pageantry, getting onto a college campus in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/it-s-hard-to-describe-to-people-unless-you-re-a-college-football-fan/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [I don't know if anyone's ever done that, where they do a big college game and then do a game in the NFL. 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They were always equal 50/50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-kufrin/my-mom-and-dad-had-the-relationship-that-i-want-and-they-were/) [Becca Kufrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-kufrin/) > [The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collarbone and incredible contusions-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/the-child-who-ran-weeping-to-you-with-a-cut-finger-is-now-brought/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [My father was the role model I looked up. My dad was an entertainer, too. I patterned my life after him. He wanted me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/my-father-was-the-role-model-i-looked-up-my-dad-was-an-entertainer/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. 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