One of my fellow bloggers who I greatly love, is another father Fred out of Houston named Mocha Dad. This month he has asked me along with six other great fathers to be interviewed regarding great topics in a roundtable discussion on his website. Below is the THIRD of four interview sessions. If you missed the first, <click here>, the second, <click here>. However, after reading my responses I would prefer you go to his site (see link below) and read the other six panelist and comment or discuss on his blog. Thanks – Fred
Mocha Dad’s Fatherhood Roundtable Session III Link
Mocha Dad: How do you deal with in-laws?
Fred: 1) With out-of-town in-laws, we never stay with family. We get our own car and hotel. 2) The number one priority is our own nuclear family. We visit and add our extended family secondary to our personal family needs. 3) We put huge restrictions on what our in-laws are allow to buy and do for our kids. 4) We plan out all visits accordingly and never visit or stay long enough to allow them or us to get on each other’s nerves. 5) We never feel guilty about having to be or do anything with anybody. Again we have our own family traditions and in-laws fit in where possible.
Mocha Dad: What is the best fatherhood lesson that you’ve learned?
Fred: Children forgive faster than adults and can love unconditionally. Always tell your kids the truth and realize they catch more of your actions than your words.
Mocha Dad: What has been your scariest moment as a parent?
Fred: Being a co-parent with an Ex that has significantly different parenting styles. Or stated another way, “Having the faith to give over your child without always knowing who or where they will be with for extended periods of time.” My only advice is to pray and realize statistically, the world really is a safer place for kids today than it was when we grew up. It is unfortunate the media has conditioned us to think otherwise. If you don’t believe me, read “Grown Up Digital” by Don Tapscott.
Mocha Dad: What has been your most fulfilling fatherhood experience?
Fred: Having a purposeful and meaningful career, two unbelievable kids, an exceptional wife and a never ending forgiving God who desires to know and hang with me every step of the way.
Mocha Dad: How do you discipline your children?
Fred: Children are very different and unique. Therefore, the answer to this question is there is not a “one size fits all.” Based on the temperament, love language, and the way each child perceives pain, will determine the how each child needs to be disciplined. For my sensitive and genius five year old son, a correcting voice or the loss of a clock or calculator would pretty much end the world. For my 10 year old social daughter, not being allowed to play across the street with her friend is Hell on Earth. That said, I am not a fan of corporal punishment under any circumstances. Parents that “spank” lack creative thinking.
Stay tuned one more session to go!
