Off Topic: Birthday in Alaska
The wonderful folks at KCAM in Glennallen, Alaska helped me celebrate a birthday with an unexpected cake - presented during their on-air fundraiser. Look for the chocolate-covered sheet cake to the left in this photo. Thanks to Scott and Elizabeth and the entire staff for a great and memorable birthday party!
Learning To Work
My children have grown up learning to work. Always age-appropriate, of course, like making a bed when they turn 6, making breakfast at 7 or 8, and mowing the lawn around 12 or 13. This has many benefits, not the least is which is less work - eventually.
Early on in the training process, it is a lot of work, of course. Have you ever seen a child clean up a mess well? Or make perfect pancakes? Or make that lawn look like a baseball infield? Doesn’t happen. It takes months, even years, to help a child achieve a level of proficiency in the kitchen or yard. And I’ve had to let go on the quality of a lot of work we’ve assigned the kids…because the important thing is the process of their learning a skill and some discipline, not the outcome. The quality of the work will come, providing I’ve taught well and the child has the ability.
Today’s program features a guest who shatters the common excuses about giving our children work. The late Jean Lush offers some timeless perspectives for parents who think it is either easier or best to “let kids be kids” by not giving them chores.
Bonus: Also on this program, Dr. Dobson comments on recent media coverage of Focus on the Family and updates listeners on current hate crimes legislation.
The Dad Difference
Sometimes a dad works hard at his work in the home, and continues at it despite affirmation or any sense of influencing his kids. I know a lot of fathers who feel mighty inadequate at what they do. I wonder how much of that insecurity comes from a lack of closeness with our own dads? Our relationship with our father is really significant, and if there is tension it could easily translate into fathering challenges.
Here’s an insightful quote from our broadcast guest today about the matter:
“No man is ever at peace with himself until he [is] at peace with his father.”
That’s from H.B. London (his story shared on Wednesday’s program), and on today’s broadcast his experiences are juxtaposed with Dr. Dobson’s as they offer recollections about the influence of their fathers.
And if you have a teenage son, let me suggest this nugget of wisdom for you to consider.
Dad, don’t underestimate your role. You are shaping lives for eternity. Use that power well and make a difference!
Too busy?
I like to think I’m doing okay as a dad, although I am acutely aware of my shortcomings. Particularly in the earlier years, I was too busy and not engaged enough with my children. Got caught up with work commitments, pursued further education, took up some time-consuming hobbies. Nothing that caused me to be a neglectful father, but some of it - especially the cumulative effect - took me away from my family more than I care to admit.
Can you relate?
I think - think - I am better at balancing time and commitments these days. I guess if you want to check me on this, ask my wife and my kids.
Today’s broadcast features a man’s candid admission that he was in deep trouble as a father. When his own son shared with him, he was somewhat stunned: “Dad, you were never home for dinner. You popped in and out for vacations because you were always marrying somebody or burying somebody or holding some revival.”
At that moment, my coworker, Rev. H.B. London, realized he had made the same mistake as his own father: He placed his ministry and his church ahead of his family. Although this message was originally delivered to an audience of pastors, it is relevant for every father who is juggling a variety of work and family commitments.
The funny thing is this: The man who is too busy with work or hobbies, who is not balancing life very well, who is in trouble as a husband and dad, is probably not going to listen to this program.
Are you too busy?
