John Monfredo: 100 Things Dads Can Do For Their Kids This Summer
Saturday, July 20, 2013
With the kids out of school and much less to worry about, there's no time like summer to teach them some important life lessons.
Early years…
1. Treasure the time that you spend with your child for the years go by quickly.
2. Set a strict bedtime as they grow up for children need their rest.
3. Read to your child every night for it will pay dividends as your child grows older. It’s important not only for mom to read but dads as well.
4. Teach your child to ride a two-wheel bike…great exercise and it shows that with practice you can succeed.
5. Ask what your child did today and listen. Conversation with children is essential and makes for better bonding.
6. Teach your child how to dial 911 and when and why to do it.
7. Display your child’s artwork in your place of work and bring your child there to see it.
8. Show your child how to clean his/her bedroom and teach them not to litter.
9. Don’t let the TV be a baby-sitter and set guidelines for when it’s on and when it’s off.
10. Praise your child often, hug and kiss often, and teach your child to compliment others.
11. Encourage your child to play outside often for it’s healthier than watching TV or playing computer games
12. Encourage your child to play an instrument for its part of having a well-rounded education.
13. Check his homework nightly. Don’t leave it only to Mom for you want to show him how important studying is to you.
14. Don’t criticize his/her mistakes. Criticize the lack of effort.
15. Be sure to have your child learn to use a computer and how to type on it.
16. Try not to miss a sports game or an event that your child is participating in for children love performing in front of their parents. Also, consider coaching or helping out your child’s team for it’s a great way to bond with them.
17. Get your child swimming lessons for it’s a life saving skill that all children need to know.
18. Stress the importance of practice for this goes with everything in life… bike riding, reading and math.
19. Teach him that self-esteem can only be achieved by believing in yourself.
20. Consider giving your child an allowance based on age and the chores they performs.
21. Never be afraid to say, “We can’t afford it.”
22. Teach your child to save and help your child open a savings account.
23. Encourage your child to make friends with children of all races and with children who don’t speak English.
24. Buy him a pet only when he’s ready to take care of it for it’s a lesson in responsibility
25. Praise, praise often and do it for little things too.
Teen Years…the tough years…
26. Teach him how to look someone in the eye and shake hands firmly.
27. Teach your child that there’s a direct correlation between studying and good grades.
28. Teach your child that they can learn as much from failure as they can from success.
29. Drive your child’s friends to the movies for it’s a good way to know who his friends are.
30. Hug and kiss your child’s mom in front of them it’s good for the children to see love in the home
31. Hold your child accountable for their actions for it’s a good lesson in life.
32. Hug your teen before bedtime even when your child is eighteen.
33. Make sure that your child spends time around members of the family…aunts, uncles, and grandparents for it develops a love for family.
34. When your child does something wrong, confront the issue immediately and don’t’ worry about hurt feelings. When it’s over it’s time for you to get over it.
35. Put a computer in your child’s room, not a TV.
36. Teach your child to be on time and to call if he/she is going to be late.
37. As for mood swings, don’t adjust the house to their moods for let them adjust to yours.
38. Teach them to wear a seat belt.
39. Talk often about the importance of a college education.
40. Some topics many be upsetting such as friends using drugs, behavior and etc. However, it’s a job for parents to intercede.
41. Raise your child not to tolerate alcohol or drugs at parties and to refuse them if offered. Teach your child that it means you’re smart by saying NO.
42. Teach your child that jealousy serves no purpose but to make you feel bad. The same can be said about idle gossip.
43. Teach your child to roll the car windows up at night and lock the car.
44. Teach your child patience, kindness, and tolerance. If you don’t many years from now you’ll wish you had.
45. Teach your child nothing that they ever do or are going to do is worth lying to you about it
46. Teach your child that for every action there is a reaction so always be careful…make good decisions.
47. Never, ever permit your child to talk back to you or to mom. This will teach your child to respect you as well as other adults, like teachers.
48. Teach your child how to apologize. Saying sorry is not the same as saying “I’m sorry.”
49. Teach him/her to ask for help if they need it.
50. Promise you’ll always be there for advice and to lend a helping hand.
There you have some practical ideas to consider. No one ever said that parenting was easy so do your best and always give your love unconditionally.
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