NOTE: At the end of this post, I'll tell you the rules for my Fathers Day 2018 Contest: The winner will get to choose between two field-level tickets to a regular season Yankees game in the Bronx (date TBA, travel not included) or a $1,000 donation to your father's favorite charity.
My father died when I was eleven, and was in and out of my life before that, so I don't have too many solid memories of him.
And while I was super close with my mother, I never felt like I knew "the whole story" with her. I think my mom operated under the "I didn’t want to tell you because you weren’t ready" mentality, and we never quite got there.
In anticipation of Father's Day, I've been thinking a lot about what being a father means to me, and a big part of it is sharing as much of my life as possible with my two kids.
This meant bringing them to work as much as was possible (and realistic) while they were growing up, and it also meant letting them have a voice in where we'd go on vacation, or to eat - or any of our family plans, for that matter. And it's meant being open with my children emotionally (within reason of course).
Being a father has also meant passing on "life lessons." I've always emphasized three "golden rules" with my kids:
1. Be a good person to everyone.
2. Be a good brother and son with your family.
3. Do your best in school.
Those were our only "non-negotiable" rules. We drilled them into our kids very early on.
And it's very satisfying to see what generous adults they've become, what good sports they are at all times.
But being a father is not just about how I "parent" my kids; it's also about how they influence me!
My kids, in addition to my wife, serve as my accountability police.
They keep me honest by goofing on me what seems like all of the time. They help me to not take myself too seriously.
It’s good to have people who know you and are completely open and honest with you. Who can critique you.
My daughter often calls me out when I tell her a story: "I can't believe you said that to that person!" (She also helps me dress sometimes.)
For me, the bottom line is that being a father is about more than the love I have for my kids: It's the teaching that only my my wife and I can provide them - and it's the learning that we can only get from them.
FATHERS DAY 2018 CONTEST RULES:
1. Subscribe to this blog by entering your email address > HERE <. (If you're already subscribed, you can skip this step.)
2. Leave a comment in the comments section below, telling me what being a father - or having a father - means to you. If you're reading this from your email, click > HERE < to go to the full blog page on my website and you can leave your comments below.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY! CONTEST CLOSES AT 12:01 AM, EASTERN STANDARD TIME, JUNE 18th, 2018.
CONTEST RULES: By entering your comment, you are agreeing to the following Official Rules: Must be US resident; Must enter by leaving comment in comments section of this post; I retain the right to publicize the names and likenesses of the winner(s); If winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, it will be re-awarded, at my discretion. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Song of the Day: "Father And Daughter" by Paul Simon
My dad is one of the most amazing people in the world. You can talk to him about anything and he will have a full on conversation with you. I haven’t been to Yankee stadium in a couple of years and it would definitely be awesome to go to one now that we are more into watching the Yankees this season. My dad tought me to work hard and work towards your dreams and that has helped me out a lot. There are so many things that I can say “thank you” for the things that he did. To be honest, I don’t know if there’s anybody else like him in this world.
My father died a few weeks before i turned 8. We went to Ranger games and played catch quite a bit. Together we were putting the 85 Topps set piece by piece. Our favorite player was Buddy Bell. He came to my t-ball games and cheered me on. I lost him in July of 1985. I am now a father to a wonderful 2 year old who loves baseball and wrestling. When i look back at my father’s legacy i used to think about the times i missed out on. Being a father has taught me that it is not about the times you missed out on—— it’s the times you did have with each other. The most important thing i can give my child is time. We aren’t promised tomorrow so take that time to live today. Fill your life with joy.
My father was gone by the time I was 8 and my mother by the time I was 16. So I don’t have any inspiration from those relationships to draw on. I truly like your 3 rules, I went with the do unto others… philosophy for myself. People have helped me when I have needed it and in return I always try to help others when I can. Somewhere in this universe there is a karma police and it all catches up with you one way or another. But don’t do things for others because you fear them, if you aren’t doing things like volunteer work or picking someone up when they are down – try it I think you will find you enjoy it as much as the people you help appreciate it
Being a father is the most important job in America. There’s no better feeling then seeing my son grow. Fathers have to step it up. We are living in critical times .My father was not in my life, my mom raised 6 boys in the crazy streets of the South Bronx.She taught to treat everyone well ,love everyone and put the Bible First. Known as a father my favorite memory on my son is watching him play basketball and study the Bible with me..😁😁🏀📓
My hero, my role model and my dad. Someone who I look up to and sets an amazing example to be a better baseball player and a better young man. My dad has made a huge amount of sacrifices for me and my two brothers. Times at Yankee games with him is unforgettable and moments I will cherish forever. It’s been a lifetime goal of mine to go to a Yankee game with my dad and sit close up in action. He works 3 jobs and is the best son, brother, and dad of all time. This opportunity would be a dream come true . Even though I’m only 13 years old my dad has been my role model and I would like to thank him for all the sacrifices he’s taken for me and my family, thank you.