Connecting with a child not like me

I have two boys. One is heavy into sports, is kind of cynical, is almost 11, and enjoys watching reality television like Survivor, etc. He also has a penchant for computers and seems to be interested in a lot of the same things that I am. And then there's my six year old, who is heavy into Spongebob Squarepants, High School Musical, kind of likes to play sports but will avoid at all costs watching them, is happier than anyone who overdoses on Prozac, and is just a ball of energy.

So, it's not a surprise that Caleb is the one that I connect with on a lot of levels. We talk sports, we talk different things, he is just a sponge. With Jonathan, I try as much as I can to really appreciate this child and his "differences" from me, but it is not so much that he is six and Caleb is 10, it's just simple interests that some times make conversations a bit awkward at times with the J-man.

What this means is that many times when I am going to Lowe's to pick up fertilizer, Caleb wants to go with me, while when my wife Jenny wants to go to Hallmark to get a gift, Jonathan wants to help. It's great, but I struggle sometimes with the fact that every day that goes by may separate him and me more so. I know that typically siblings can be worlds apart personality-wise, but what are some things that I can do as a father to make things better? I just don't want to feel that I am will never be close to him as a father! I mean, even I can learn some things from his happy attitude about everything, that is for sure.

Help! Tips? Tricks? Psychology? Philosophy? I'm looking for pearls here, folks.

TAGS: Being A Dad, Being A Parent, Connecting With Children, Parenthood, Parenting, Raising Children, Sibling Differences
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