This is our birth issue and it’s one of my favorites. As a first time father, who didn’t want kids, having my son is the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t know how I lived without a kid who is now the center of my universe. And my hope is that he can make the world better.
Since having him, I light up with every baby I see and wish I had more.
Earlier I thought I didn’t want kids because I worried that the world wasn’t a great place anymore. The environment, the rise of authoritarianism, world poverty and hunger…all the depressing things we face every day. But you parents know that from the first look at your new baby, the world changes.
When Parker was born seven years ago, I held his hand when he was moments old, and I told him, “The world can be a terrible place, but I promise I will do everything in my power to make it great for you.”
And I’ve done everything I can and am always looking for more things for him. I bought this magazine just for him, so I can learn to be a better parent. And so far, it’s worked.
I don’t feel like a helicopter parent but I have him in so many activities—all of them his choice. He’s in Little League, art classes, piano lessons, private baseball lessons, swimming lessons, soccer, juggling and second grade. Oh yeah, and he’s going to be in the Nutcracker in December, with weekly rehearsals until then. And I forgot, he makes 30 videos a month for Growing Up in Santa Cruz. See them here and please subscribe: www.youtube.com/@GrowingUpinSantaCruz-bd5ug. Or just search Growing Up in Santa Cruz in YouTube.
So, here’s our birth month celebration. Check out the contest entries and see the cutest kids in Santa Cruz and make sure to enter your babies next year by September 1.
Thanks for reading!
Brad Kava,
Editor and Publisher
