by Joey Watkins

Dad, has your son or daughter ever done something that really upset you? Maybe made you question what you were doing "wrong" as a parent to have caused him or her to act a certain way or say a certain thing?

Here’s a recent example from my own family…

This past week, our family spent 9 hours together in a car driving home from a long trip. When we finally arrived, we were all rather tired and cranky.

While getting ready for bed, my two youngest children got into a spat over something very silly… as is usually the case when children argue.

They were fighting over our "drinking water."

My youngest son, who is only 5, was unwilling to drink the water that was available in our house because it was not "cold" due to our water cooler having been unplugged while we were away on our trip.

Can you believe that?!!

My first thought was something like…

"What a spoiled rotten brat! He should be grateful that we even have bottled spring water to begin with. He has no idea there are billions of children around the world who don’t even have clean drinking water — much less COLD clean spring water! He has no idea how good he has it!!!"

And with that, I proceeded to vent at both him and my wife, telling him to drink the water that WAS available, or else go to bed thirsty.

What a great response from Dad, eh?! I’m sure you’ve never done anything like this

The nerve of this "spoiled" little 5-year-old kid demanding **cold** water.

It’s now a few days later, and I just remembered a recent rant of my own when our family was in Florida last week.

I had walked into the kitchen to pour a glass of water, and there wasn’t any cold water available because no one remembered to refill the water pitcher we kept in the refrigerator.

And yes, my entire family heard this grown man… Dad… rant and blame his family for something so silly.

I think I owe my family an apology — and explain to my 5-year-old son that he and dad were both wrong and should be grateful for water whether it is cold or not.

It never ceases to amaze me how our children learn from the actions and words of their dad. Especially when dad is not in "teaching" mode.

R E S O U R C E S   for   D A D S

Revolutionary Parenting

by George Barna

Determined to learn the secrets of those who’ve raised spiritual champions, world-renowned researcher George Barna conducted a series of surveys and thousands of personal interviews with both young adults and their parents.

by Joey Watkins, Friday, July 18, 2008

July is quickly passing by, and that means so is summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere.

Summers are, of course, unique for our sons and daughters.

It is the time of year when most of them are out of school and have more time for other activities, summer jobs, time with friends…

And more opportunities for us dads to spend time with them.

How am I doing with spending time with my children so far this summer?

Have I taken extra time off work to be with my family?

Am I taking advantage of my kids being out of school for these few short weeks?

If not, let me encourage you to maximize the remainder of the summer and do so.

Be intentional about spending time with your children.  Work can wait. It will always be there. Your kids won’t.

R E S O U R C E S   for   D A D S

How To Be Your Daughter’s Daddy

by Dan Bolin

365 Ideas to spend time with your daughter and show your love and care to her.  Learn More and Order

How To Be Your Little Man’s Dad

by Dan Bolin

365 things to do with your son and model fatherhood to him.  Learn More and Order

by Joey Watkins

Many of my thoughts in recent months have been consumed by the level of influence that we dads have in our children’s lives and future.

My favorite term for this is “father power” which is from Todd Wilson’s book by that title, Father Power.

We dads wield a power — a level of influence — in our children’s lives that very few of us have much understanding of or are taking advantage of.

How do I know this is true?

Because I look at the amount of time we spend at our work, hobbies, tv, sports, Internet browsing, and our other interests compared to the amount of time we spend with our children.

The harsh reality is that we practice daily what we truly value. All the rest is just talk.

That is why I created a resource website for dads at www.DadResources.com

I want you as a dad to know about and have access to the very best resources available on fatherhood so you can maximize your father power in your family and effectively influence your sons and daughters with your values and faith while they are still at home with you.

And because you model fatherhood to your sons, when they become dads one day, they will be able to look back at how you raised them and have that as a very positive, healthy example.

Bookmark www.DadResources.com right now as your “go-to” site for dad resources.

And help spread the word about this resource site by telling other dads you know about www.DadResources.com.

If a particular resource has significantly impacted your life as a dad that isn’t already on this site, please let me know.

by Joey Watkins

July 4th weekend is upon us.  For many in the United States, it includes a day off work and watching fireworks.

For us family dads, it also offers many of us more time with our family than a usual weekend.

And an opportunity to create another lasting memory with them.

Here are 10 creative ideas to celebrate our country’s birthday with your family this weekend:

1. Have a “USA Birthday” family picnic complete with cake and candles ( don’t forget red, white, and blue icing!)

2. Go to an armed services memorial park and read the plaques together

3. Visit a cemetery and look for soldier gravesites

4. Visit a historic landmark that relates to our country’s “story”

5. Attend a muncipal fireworks display, parade, or other July 4th event

6. Have your own fireworks celebration in your driveway (don’t forget the sparklers)

7. Read the Declaration of Independence to your family

8. Read the history of July 4th, Independence Day, to your family

9. Creatively decorate your yard together with American flags

10. Make a red-white-blue meal or treat with colored ingredients
(Hint: strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, etc.)

Bonus#11! Serve a family whose dad is overseas in the armed services

We certainly want to remember the many thousands of family dads who are overseas this weekend and are unable to be with their family. We are indebted to you for your sacrifice and service to your country.

Here are several very special video clips of soldier dads who returned home for surprise visits to their families. The emotions displayed are powerful reminders of our “father power”!