Hey guys, I hope that this finds you in great shape and spirit. As the Teach Them Diligently Conference is coming up next week, I have a question for the husbands. Are you leaving a mark with your kids?? Let’s talk about that.
Last week I was helping in a karate testing in our dojo. Kids that I have watched progress over the years were now standing in front of me preparing to spar. Now, if you don’t know what that means, it means to make the motions of boxing or fighting without landing heavy blows. It shows skill and proficiency.
As the third kid, let’s call him Drew, stepped up he bowed and took his stance. Very professional and polite. The sparing began. Feet. Hands. Legs. Everything was flying like the Blue Angles performance squad. Then. It. Happened. My head rocked back and I felt a sharp pain from below my eye. We continued the match. Soon, I noticed a swelling just below my eye. When the match ended I made my way to the restroom to inspect the said swelling. Drew had left his mark. Which a week later, I am still carrying. Well done Drew.
Making a Mark
Soon that black eye that I have will be gone. However the memory of it will be there forever. Dad, what are you doing to leave marks with your kids? Your words, carry more of an action and permanent marks than you realize. You actions with or without your kids also leave permanent marks. If you were to stop and think of all the things that you have done in the past month, what kind of marks have you left?
As I look back over the life of my kids, I see marks that have been left. I see good and to be honest, I see bad ones. This type of mark can not be erased or cleaned with a magic eraser. It is there for a lifetime, shaping, molding, and making your kids the man or woman that they will be. Dad, take the time to lift up, praise, and complement your kids on what they do. When criticism must come, let it be constructive and not destructive.
Men, if you are going to be at the Atlanta Teach Them Diligently Conference, I would like to invite you to stop by and lets talk for a bit. I will be speaking on Thursday and would love to have dads come and share their thoughts on homeschooling at 8:00. Saturday afternoon 3:00, I will be asking if you are a bystander or participant in your homeschool. I look forward to seeing you there!
Till next time…
I’m just a husband of a homeschooling mom,
Steve Blackston