The BILA Wave

By Abraham Nerius

On February 2, Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts’ (BILA) Assistant Principal Mr. Hunt and his family welcomed a new baby boy. As Mr. Hunt navigates his second journey into parenthood, he shares the joys, challenges, and life lessons that come with raising two children. From the pressure of raising a son to the importance of setting boundaries with technology, his experience offers valuable insight for both new parents.

When asked about how becoming a parent again differs from his first experience, Mr. Hunt shared that it’s easier this time around, as having another child, especially another son, shifts his priorities. He explained that his focus has moved from being self-centered to ensuring his household, particularly his children, are taken care of. “You become less self-involved when you have someone else to care for,” he adds. 

The arrival of his second son has also made him more aware of the pressures of fatherhood, particularly the responsibility to raise his sons to be good men. With two boys now, he feels the need to be even more vigilant and thoughtful in his approach to parenting. Mr. Hunt admits that during his first experience with fatherhood, he felt nervous and uncertain, confessing, “I did not enjoy having a baby the first time.” 

However, as a parent who already has the experience he finds himself enjoying fatherhood more. “I’m not nervous this time,” he shares, that he enjoys this baby more than he did his first son when he was a baby. He says he feels more comfortable now because of all the practice and experience he’s gotten, explaining, “I think bonding with the baby happens a little later with the father. The first time, there wasn’t much bonding, but this time, I enjoyed the process more.” He says, “Don’t tell my first son that!”

Having experienced parenting a newborn twice, Mr. Hunt offers practical advice for future parents. His message is simple: “Have fun,” he believes the world is a big, wonderful place for children to explore. He encourages parents to let their children experience some hurt, it’s an essential part of learning. Mr. Hunt also advocates for a minimalist approach to baby products, suggesting that parents don’t need as much as they’re often told.

Additionally, he is passionate about limiting screen time for children, “I think it’s irresponsible for parents to expose their children to smartphones and social media.” He plans to keep his sons’ childhoods “phone-free” for as long as possible, emphasizing that he wants them to play, read, and interact with friends in person, believing phones can wait until they’re at least 14. The most rewarding part of parenthood is watching his children grow and develop. While he hasn’t yet seen much of himself in his sons, he hopes to avoid passing on his mistakes, “You have kids in part to correct the mistakes you made.” 

Becoming a father has also strengthened his relationship with his wife, as he shares, “We’re closer than we’ve ever been before,” recognizing the challenges and joys of raising children together. 

To end it off,  Mr. Hunt offers some words of wisdom to the children of BILA that he loves so much: 

“Put your phone down.”