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I'm Your Dad First And Your Friend Second |
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Written by Tony Pierce
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The other day I read an article from All Pro Dads about how some
experts believe that dads are supposed to be a best friend to their
child. The article went on to say that there are times that some
experts are wrong.
I totally agree that in this case the experts are wrong. Dads are
supposed to be dads not their child's best friend. I had an
experience one time when I had to discipline one of my children when he
was young. After the discipline I heard my son say "your a mean
dad". These words heart but I reminded myself of what my job as
dad is. To train him in every way that Jesus grew.
In Luke 2:52 it says that "Jesus grew in wisdom, statue and in favor
with God and man". To me these areas represent the four spokes of
a wagon wheel. The four spokes of a wheel keep it evenly
balanced. Dads along with mom are to begin training their child
academically/emotionally- physically- spiritually- socially as soon as
that child is born.
Even before the child hits a pre-school, church, gym or a park, the
parent's training of that child should be taking place. A part of
that training is discipline. After hearing the hurtful words that
came out of my sons mouth. I took him over to the refrigerator
and opened it and said "that's right, your dad is so mean that you have
food to eat". I then marched him into his bedroom and opened the
closet door and said, "your dad is so mean that you have clothes to
wear everyday". You see, I could of felt guilty about the
discipline and just said, "ok, I don't want you to be mad at me, I want
to be your best friend so I won't discipline you".
As a college football coach I see many young people who are either
trained or untrained. I understand what happens to them when they
are trained or untrained. Dads, let's continue to be dads and
train our children up in the way that they should go. Oh, and by
the way, in the end, they won't think that you're mean, they'll love
you for it!
Coach Tony Pierce is founder of Fathers In Touch
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