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
tidy up service Glenview ..The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Just two days ago, another 15-year old child was added... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More
Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
When you're a parent it's a difficult decision to know... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
(Isaiah 11:6 KJV) The wolf also shall dwell with the... Read More
When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for,"... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
There may really be a real monster under your kid???s... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance... Read More
One of the implications of the current trend toward smaller... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
My neighbours' kid impressed me the other day.I was busy... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Parenting |