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
maide service in Park Ridge ..Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
Although nothing anybody says can ever completely prepare a woman... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
If there are any parents reading this who are thinking... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
The first year of a child's life is the most... Read More
No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
There may really be a real monster under your kid???s... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
after renovation cleaning Highland Park ..They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
Do you feel like someone has abducted your sweet, innocent... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Q. We recently caught our son smoking pot, and we... Read More
Parenting |