There are stretches of days and sometimes weeks when the boys delight us with their growth and learning and affection and wonder at the world. I was unprepared for all of this goodness. Maybe that’s grace.
But between moments of obvious grace, parenting is hard, too, which Greg Carpinello acknowledges. To help himself maintain perspective in his role as a father, he composed a Daily Examen for parents, available at the Ignatian Solidarity Network blog.
Carpinello wisely advises to take it slowly if parents want to start this prayer practice. The Examen should slow us down to reflect, not be an added pressure.