Watching the story unfold....

I have not come up with a better title or closing, but maybe you guys will.   

Parenting
 
I listen to my son
as he lives out the role he chose.
 
He has no big book
with answers in the back.
 
Once he figures out what works for a ten-year-old,
she changes and he shakes his head.
 
He puzzles over the problem,
more worn down today than yesterday.
 
I recall a professor once calling
children little rebels
 
because they oppose everything—
always disrupting order and putting out bait,
 
saying how they search for the weakest link
in parents from morning light ’til setting sun.
 
But when she calls him “Daddy”,
his heart softens.
 
He takes her hand and promises
to stay close in a world that’s forever shifting.
 
He has enough love,
plenty of answers.

Maybe it's the math major in me, but the answers in the back of the big book made me think of math homework and checking the odd numbered question answers in the back of the book. I wanted the images/verbs to be math homework related. I don't know if "I" needs to be in the poem at all.
I played with your stanzas to show what I was thinking but feel free to disregard it all! Something like:

Parenting

He has no big book
with answers in the back.

He puzzles over the problem,
more worn down today than yesterday.

He thought he had it worked out
but the ten-year-old changed the equation.

The professor defines children as little rebels
never following the order of operations.

But Dad has enough love,
therefore, plenty of answers.

I see. I see.  :-l  This is helpful. Yes, I need to think math-related.  In fact, my son is a math/science thinker.
You are right...there is no need for me to be in the poem.  Just observe it. 
Good help, Renee.  And I so thank you! 
Equation.  What a good word.  Order of operation, sounds scientific and technical.
Great help.

I'm sure there's even better words, but I hope that helps. I really like your poem. I'm sure your son will feel honored too. Maybe he would have some good terms/verbs to use too!

Yes, he might have words.  Appreciate your help.  It's in process and cooking...
Pat

Pat

I think Renee changed the poem for the better.  She identified the issue I had with the original . . . how does the N know so much?  

I think the original title is not descriptive of the "ring" of the poem.  I needed to be alerted to the entrance of the sister. . . I think Renee solved that  quite nicely.

I really like the poem.  Perhaps one for the read-around in eureka?

Todd

Thanks for the red flags.  
Yes, I can read it at Eureka next week.  Short enough to do that.

to Father and Daughter.  I think that Parenting is too huge a topic.  
Thanks for your wise eyes.  Really.