Advice #28
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
It seems just like yesterday when I looked down at the precious bundle in my arms. Man was I proud him…this mixed image of his mother and I. Of course he had my good looks, but he had the sparkle in his eyes that reflected his mother. This blonde, miniature man was gaining strength every day. I had dreams of wrestling with him on the floor, playing catch, fishing and camping together. Yes sir, he was going to be just like me.
Then the 2 x 4 hit me between the eyes…I didn’t want him to be exactly like me! I wanted him to copy my good traits but not the bad ones. Fear set in. How will I keep him from repeating my mistakes or taking on my weaknesses? None of us are perfect. When it comes right down to it, we want them to improve what we started.
So young parent, how are you going to develop the precious bundle in your arms? How will you teach them not to duplicate your own flaws? This God-formed clay image is definitely moldable, and you and their Maker are the potter. How will this vessel turn out?
Let me pass on some suggestions I learned the hard way. My expectations were equal for each child, but they are each unique in their approach to them. What I had to learn is that my expectations needed to appropriate for their age. A 4-year old can’t play catch like a 12-year old. I soon discovered that not all 4-year olds have the same abilities. I couldn’t put the same expectations on second-born as I could my first-born. I had to modify my expectations to meet my child’s unique personality and abilities. They weren’t even out of their diapers before I discovered their temperaments were unique. And that led to the difficult discovery that discipline for one isn’t the same for the other.
But the greatest thing I can pass on to you young parents is that the environment of the flower means everything to the size of the blossom! Be gentle, full of praise. Build their confidence. Encourage them to accept responsibility. Be their role model.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
It seems just like yesterday when I looked down at the precious bundle in my arms. Man was I proud him…this mixed image of his mother and I. Of course he had my good looks, but he had the sparkle in his eyes that reflected his mother. This blonde, miniature man was gaining strength every day. I had dreams of wrestling with him on the floor, playing catch, fishing and camping together. Yes sir, he was going to be just like me.
Then the 2 x 4 hit me between the eyes…I didn’t want him to be exactly like me! I wanted him to copy my good traits but not the bad ones. Fear set in. How will I keep him from repeating my mistakes or taking on my weaknesses? None of us are perfect. When it comes right down to it, we want them to improve what we started.
So young parent, how are you going to develop the precious bundle in your arms? How will you teach them not to duplicate your own flaws? This God-formed clay image is definitely moldable, and you and their Maker are the potter. How will this vessel turn out?
Let me pass on some suggestions I learned the hard way. My expectations were equal for each child, but they are each unique in their approach to them. What I had to learn is that my expectations needed to appropriate for their age. A 4-year old can’t play catch like a 12-year old. I soon discovered that not all 4-year olds have the same abilities. I couldn’t put the same expectations on second-born as I could my first-born. I had to modify my expectations to meet my child’s unique personality and abilities. They weren’t even out of their diapers before I discovered their temperaments were unique. And that led to the difficult discovery that discipline for one isn’t the same for the other.
But the greatest thing I can pass on to you young parents is that the environment of the flower means everything to the size of the blossom! Be gentle, full of praise. Build their confidence. Encourage them to accept responsibility. Be their role model.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry
ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU
Ralph Sorter
It seems just like yesterday when I looked down at the precious bundle in my arms. Man was I proud him…this mixed image of his mother and I. Of course he had my good looks, but he had the sparkle in his eyes that reflected his mother. This blonde, miniature man was gaining strength every day. I had dreams of wrestling with him on the floor, playing catch, fishing and camping together. Yes sir, he was going to be just like me.
Then the 2 x 4 hit me between the eyes…I didn’t want him to be exactly like me! I wanted him to copy my good traits but not the bad ones. Fear set in. How will I keep him from repeating my mistakes or taking on my weaknesses? None of us are perfect. When it comes right down to it, we want them to improve what we started.
So young parent, how are you going to develop the precious bundle in your arms? How will you teach them not to duplicate your own flaws? This God-formed clay image is definitely moldable, and you and their Maker are the potter. How will this vessel turn out?
Let me pass on some suggestions I learned the hard way. My expectations were equal for each child, but they are each unique in their approach to them. What I had to learn is that my expectations needed to appropriate for their age. A 4-year old can’t play catch like a 12-year old. I soon discovered that not all 4-year olds have the same abilities. I couldn’t put the same expectations on second-born as I could my first-born. I had to modify my expectations to meet my child’s unique personality and abilities. They weren’t even out of their diapers before I discovered their temperaments were unique. And that led to the difficult discovery that discipline for one isn’t the same for the other.
But the greatest thing I can pass on to you young parents is that the environment of the flower means everything to the size of the blossom! Be gentle, full of praise. Build their confidence. Encourage them to accept responsibility. Be their role model.
A Message from HOPE’S
Marriage & Family Ministry