Awesome Dads Top Ten Communication Intentions

An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that itself is perfect, because imperfection allows us to really understand the personal evolution our children are going through with us. The definition of an Awesome Dad, then, is the father who stays in the game, shows up fully and sets powerful intentions to grow into. Here are some:

I listen with my entire being - and without judgment. I seek first to understand and appreciate what my children say. From that vantage point, I will build their trust in me and be most supportive.

I see others as equals, neither superior nor inferior to me. Every person is a unique individual, just like everyone else on the planet. (hee hee)! We each have our own journey and everyone we encounter is integral to our life's objectives. Children are no less important and should be treated with equal respect.

I engage my curiosity completely. I truly want to understand and try to grasp all that is going on for my children. I want to see the world afresh from their perspectives and glean new insights through them. I ask questions without an agenda.

I consider all perspectives and choose consciously. In this world of infinite possibilities, I seek to understand where everyone is coming from and only then choose what resonates most. I share this process with those I love.

First, do no harm! I communicate to foster understanding and growth but never to hurt. "Sticks and stones..." I know my words can cut deeper, and the resulting wounds take longer to heal.

I tell stories that speak to the heart. When I speak from the heart, my words penetrate other's hearts. Parables and personal stories are easy to accept and are rarely accusatory, though often funny and informative.

I articulate the nuances. I use a rich vocabulary to communicate distinctions that will help to raise awareness and expand my family's appreciation of life.

I understand the power of my touch. From a gentle touch on the cheek, to a vigorous backrub, to wrestling on the floor, I communicate my love through the powerful medium of touch. And I know when to refrain as well.

I share what's there. I discuss difficult issues that warrant open communication without fear. I believe open communication will lead to the greatest family unity, even though the journey may be difficult.

My actions are congruent with my values. I am keenly aware that my actions speak louder than my words. The best communication is when words and actions match perfectly. Values in action...

Copyright 2004 by CoachVille, Dovid Grossman and Ken Mossman


Duplication, with attribution, permitted and encouraged. http://www.CoachVille.com

From CoachVille's "Awesome Dads: dare to be a hero!" community.

Check us out at: http://dbc593.cvcommunity.com

About The Author

My father was a very successful engineer. But he and I never got along, and we fought all the time. One day, when I was 17, I told him, "I always wanted a close relationship with you, but we don't have it." I watched as three tears squeezed out of his pained eyes. And he said, "I've always wanted that, too, but I just don't know how to do it." Since that day, we haven't argued. I got it. I understood his love for me was really deep. A lot of fathers are in the same boat. They love their kids dearly. But they don't know how to express this in a way that their kids understand it. Which means there's great pain in one of the most important relationships in their lives. I offer adventure, mentoring and coaching programs for fathers to become Awesome Dads. The benefits are a lifetime of pleasure and pride with the most important people in their lives. coach@dovidgrossman.com

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/family/archives/151301.aspcid=1257620118ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNEZxPxPkyShOgGDLV3hII_cgbVGBwObama amp; Cindy McCain on bparenting/b and Secret Service/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSeattle Post Intelligencernbsp;-/font nobr13 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1I give bParenting/b credit for getting a dad in there, and not focusing on Michelle Obama. A last-minute schedule change forced Republican presidential nominee b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/metlife-foundation-begins-new-phase/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BC8300070-5CEC-47DB-8D97-33BC10E99621%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257270991ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNHXfHUGgSO660W2gGD0W_7njA42aQMetLife Foundation Begins new Phase of Award-Winning bParenting/b b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr21 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1NEW YORK, Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MetLife Foundation will begin the next phase of its award-winning bparenting/b skills campaign, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081014-LIFE-810070423cid=0ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNGlo8_n7HdG5AatyiIvFYJ_kSVXTALetting go: A recurring theme in bparenting/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPortsmouth Herald News,nbsp;NHnbsp;-/font nobr8 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Shelley C. Gardner Becoming a bparent/b transforms in an instant our life experience and sense of purpose. No longer is it only about us as a family emerges b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081013/lead/lead5.htmlcid=1257161090ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNG8OYEK7dH9ANgQDkQErHSuBK-_2AbParenting/b under the law/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJamaica Gleaner,nbsp;Jamaicanbsp;-/font nobrOct 12, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Under the law, bparents/b and guardians have particular obligations relating to the safety of children which should not be ignored. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.greatdad.com/tertiary/27/3211/parenting-skills-go-mobile-with-text-messaging.htmlcid=0ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNHNwH2m5DqIsMCCxAtSmn1ye3u1vgbParenting/b skills go mobile with text messaging/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fGreat Dad,nbsp;Californianbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bParents/b and children are increasingly turning to text messaging as a way to keep in touch with each other throughout the day, the results of a new survey b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_10711944cid=1257449668ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNGJGyLn5M6siHRSnhaO-Gw6ILdjZQ#39;Lemonade#39; author to speak at Los Gatos High tonight/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSan Jose Mercury News,nbsp; USAnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The community read-in is a free event sponsored by the bParenting/b Continuum, the Los Gatos Union School District and Project Cornerstone. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www2.broxbourne.gov.uk/press/News3.aspx%3FPressID%3D6557cid=0ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNFVHK34WugpLdMu1P-Pbrq7YroOBwDrop-In bparenting/b support at Wormley Community Centre/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBroxbourne Borough Council (press release),nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Broxbourne Council and Broxbourne Housing Association have funded the Hertfordshire Practical bParenting/b Programme (HPPP) to run informal drop-in bparenting/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNGijVaL0_BBnQd7NeCcyKOaqDxaCAimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=td-9an55dX8Jimgurl=www.themedguru.com/files/parenting.jpg width=80 height=53 alt= border=1brfont size=-2TheMedGuru/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.themedguru.com/articles/parenting_kids_to_health_and_happiness-86113965.htmlcid=1256754914ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNGijVaL0_BBnQd7NeCcyKOaqDxaCAbParenting/b kids to health and happiness/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTheMedGuru,nbsp;Indianbsp;-/font nobrOct 12, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1According to a recent survey, children’s health is significantly related to household income as well as the bparents/b’ education level. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/10/13/why-some-kids-are-bullied-from-the-start.htmlcid=1257405007ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNHaxPYpIJII0hTvzeNWPWZtA9feAAWhy Some Kids Are Bullied From the Start/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fU.S. News World Report,nbsp;DCnbsp;-/font nobr13 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The team followed them for more than seven years, receiving information from the children#39;s mothers about victimization, family adversity, bparenting/b styles, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/pammie-blasts-jordans-parenting-skills_100107009.htmlcid=1257583964ei=7W_0SPnGKqbU6gOd7KSbDQusg=AFQjCNHwXjxw3eu-0Wo9-OCulNBs-F46kQPammie blasts Jordans bparenting/b skills/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fThaindian.com,nbsp;Thailandnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1London, Oct 14 (ANI): Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson recently took a dig at Jordan aka Katie Price for publicizing her kids. While giving an interview to b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
parenting - Google News

Trip, Trip, Trip... Here Is Your Night Visitor Again!

Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More

Exams Cause Stress For Parents Too

When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More

Film Industry and Our Youth

In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More

Social Engineering via Robotic Toddlers

Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More

Loving Your Step-Children

Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More

Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?

Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

Just What Is A Learning Disability?

A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More

Raise Your Child to Be a Leader Not a Follower

Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More

Tips For a First-Time Dad

So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More

How to Find The Best Time To Be With Your Kids

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More

School Days - Top 10 Tips for Establishing a Good Routine

Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More

From Childrens Stories to Study Skills: Help Your Children Succeed in School

IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More

How To Be Your Childs Sex Educator

The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More

Three Tips to Get Children with Sleeping Problems Asleep

According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More

Are You Frustrated With Public Schools?

Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More

Children Who Talk to Angels

What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More

Got To, Get To ? Change The Way Your Family Thinks

I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More

Develop Your Childs Genius: One Step Farther

When is a person brilliant? When does a person show... Read More

6 Signs You?re A High Maintenance Parent

The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More

Useful Jogger Stroller Accessories

There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More

Raising Strong Daughters

When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More

A Little Love, Please?

Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More

How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room

'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More

Teenagers and What Parents Should Do About Them

Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More