How do I continue to ground my daughters so deep… in their love for God… country… others… and themselves, that they will always check their choice of behavior, before they wreck themselves. With school right around the corner and a high need for acceptance calling them, I dread the day they are called into social pressures and situations. You feel me?
Can I curb their chances of exposure, really? – No. Can I shelter them from this world, really? – No. Can I force them to make good choices, really? – No.
Insert quote about “teaching how to fish…” here
This must be the most “reassuring circle” (smiled with sarcasm) any parent or teacher endures. The fact that we have such a great responsibly influencing them to deal with the 1000′s of situations they will face… with no real authority over the final choice is hilariously unsettling. So as a loving parent, do I just continue to hope that discussing high moral standards and behavior is enough? I believe the answer is yes, after I can demonstrate it in my life.
Here are 3 questions I was taught by a mentor, to ask myself when I am confronted with a risk. I now use this format with my teaching of teenagers all over the world:
- Is my choice legal to participate in?
- Does the choice lead to possible positive benefits?
- Will the choice maintain dignity for myself and others?
- Offered an alcoholic drink at a work luncheon
- The boys have called you to join them at a gentleman’s club
- Traveling for “work” over a weekend
- Gossiping with your girlfriends about your girlfriends
- Getting back on the computer to “answer emails”
Since the birth of my first back in Sept 2011 I have started to incorporate my own experiences and thoughts about parenthood into a couple of my blogs. Seeing what other dads have been saying and suggesting is pretty cool.
Ok, I agree with what you said; we are all deep down social animals and subjected to social pressures. So one of the most important things for me as a dad is to install an understanding of right and wrong. Personally I don’t believe you can buy a book on how to parent a child correctly, we are all different and different parenting techniques will work for different people… One thing is certain, being a parent and giving your child love is the best thing you can do!
Nice blog by the way, keep up the good work.