Awesome Dads Top Ten Ways To Be The Foundation of Your Family

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: http://dbc593.cvcommunity.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

coach@dovidgrossman.com

---

Film Industry and Our Youth

In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More

Parenting: The Road I Chose

Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More

Finding A Caregiver You Can Trust

Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More

Assume Personal Responsibility? Who, Me?

As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More

Would You Hire This Teacher?

Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More

Dads, Give them Household Chores

You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More

Adderall and Its Side-Effects

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More

Bullies

Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More

Grandparents! Help Your Grandkids Do Math!

This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More

Diapers: Do You Choose Disposable Or Reusable?

Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: How to End the Curfew Battle

Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More

Entering Their Imaginative World

In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More

Eye-Opening Questions for Working Parents to Ask

I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More

Playing Safe

Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with... Read More

Encourage Your Children Potential By Your Modeling

All responsible parents would want to support their children, find... Read More

How to Make a Time Capsule

Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More

Now, Theyre Bullying My Daughter In Our Home: Welcome To Cyber-Bullying

Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More

Use Encouragement Instead of Criticism to Help Children Improve

Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More

My Teenaged Parents

Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 7 Tips for Back to School Success

Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More

Quality Time with Your Teen

It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More

Facing the Homeschool Super Mom

I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More

Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?

Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More

Trip, Trip, Trip... Here Is Your Night Visitor Again!

Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More

Career Education: Does Not Mean the 6 Year College Plan

Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More

Hearing Our Seriously Distressed Children

How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: The Power Struggle

Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More

From Childrens Stories to Study Skills: Help Your Children Succeed in School

IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More

Bath Time Fun

Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More

Summer Survival

Summer Survival The... Read More

Understanding The Report

"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More

Water Hazards For Young Children

Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More

Hair Care for Children

Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More