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
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..How in the world do you get your child to... Read More
Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
Everyone needs friends, and, as parents, you and I both... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If... Read More
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
Parenting |