As a parent, you’ll discover your “parenting sweet spot”—a phase in your child’s life where everything seems to align. Like an NBA three-point specialist, every decision you make feels like a swish. Could this be during your child’s first year of life? For some, yes. For me, it was when my boys were four.

Ages 0-3 were physically draining—sleepless nights, endless feedings, diaper changes, and the whirlwind of toddler energy. But at age four, something magical happened.

At four, my boys were endlessly curious, peppering me with “why” questions from dawn to dusk. They became semi-independent, dressing themselves, preparing snacks, and eagerly taking on small responsibilities. Their imaginations blossomed—they loved to draw, color, and create. They started engaging with more complex stories and enjoyed a wider variety of foods beyond the toddler staples of chicken nuggets and pizza.

At this stage, I felt like I had parenting all figured out. I even thought about writing a book! My boys were fun, relatively well-behaved, and thought I was the coolest dad in the world. But then, they turned five.

Five brought a new set of challenges—defiance, backtalk, school conflicts, and homework battles. The “why” questions turned into eye rolls, and I went from the coolest dad ever to just another lame parent. The sweet spot faded, replaced by a different, more complicated dynamic.

Two years later, I’m still trying to find my rhythm, wondering why things feel so off. Then it hits me: it’s not my “shot” that’s changed—it’s the game. Parenting isn’t like basketball, where you master a single skill. It’s more like the Olympics, with new events every year that require entirely different abilities.

Some events you’ll excel in, some you’ll adapt to, and others you’ll simply struggle to complete. There’s no gold medal in parenting, but the participation trophy is worth it. The true reward is in the journey.