Part of the responsibility of being a father is to establish a strong foundation for the family. Just like a building foundation, much of this work goes unseen and rarely gets acknowledged, yet the strength and integrity of the entire structure relies on it. The following intentions, although not always perfectly fulfilled, give us guidance in our mission.
Grounded in Reality
While my children may put me on a pedestal, I have my feet firmly on the ground and acknowledge my own strengths and weaknesses.
Demonstrative Love
I take the time to know and understand the best way to communicate my love to each and every child. My children see my love for my wife clearly expressed.
Mutual Respect.
By honoring and never ridiculing the thoughts, emotions and actions of my family, each member clearly experiences and understands my great respect for them.
Consistently Predictable.
My family is comforted and anchored by my predictability. My deepest values are consistently
demonstrated in my speech and behavior.
Predictable Spontaneity.
My family knows that I am extremely curious and love to explore and learn. My spontaneity is
consistent. We plan with flexibility, and the children look forward to unexpected adventures.
Responsible.
My children see how I prepare and follow through, owning up to my responsibilities. They learn by my example.
Safety/Security
I take safety very seriously and my children know it. They have learned by my examples, for instance: I always wear a helmet when skating, skiing or bicycle riding, and I take first-aid and CPR classes. Our car does not go into motion until all seat belts, including mine, are on. Primary
Advocate
My children know that I stand behind them and will protect, defend and honor them at all times. I do not discuss my children's failings with others.
Serious Humor
I deliberately use humor liberally to lighten stress and lubricate relationships to ensure a cohesive family.
WYSIWYG What you see is what you get.
I practice what I preach and that includes accepting human frailty and mistakes. The greatest foundation for a family is living with integrity.
Copyright 2004 by CoachVille, Dovid Grossman and Ken Mossman
Duplication, with attribution, permitted and encouraged.
www.coachville.com
From CoachVille's "Awesome Dads, dare to be a hero!" community.
Check us out at: www.coachville.com
About The Author
My father was a very successful engineer. But he and I never got along, and we fought all the time. One day, when I was 17, I told him, "I always wanted a close relationship with you, but we don't have it." I watched as three tears squeezed out of his pained eyes. And he said, "I've always wanted that, too, but I just don't know how to do it." Since that day, we haven't argued. I got it. I understood his love for me was really deep. A lot of fathers are in the same boat. They love their kids dearly. But they don't know how to express this in a way that their kids understand it. Which means there's great pain in one of the most important relationships in their lives. I offer adventure, mentoring and coaching programs for fathers to become Awesome Dads. The benefits are a lifetime of pleasure and pride with the most important people in their lives. Dovid Grossman
recurring maid service Wilmette ..Did you know that the school system is only able... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
My neighbours' kid impressed me the other day.I was busy... Read More
Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
How in the world do you get your child to... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
Memorizing math facts is a necessary part of elementary school.... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Throughout the year, many days of celebration are tucked capriciously... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
Managing money is one of the most critical skills we... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Parenting |