My three youngest children — ages 11, 8, and 8 — all played Little League baseball this summer.  I enjoyed watching them play, as it took me back to my own childhood when I would spend the better part of each summer day playing baseball.

Every time each of my children would come to bat, the opposing team and coaches would invariably yell: “Good hitter!  Everyone back up!”

No one ever did that for me when I played.

I hereby acknowledge that my children are better than me — in this regard, at least.  To me, this is the primary responsibility of a parent: to advance humanity by ensuring that your children are better than you.