Guest Post: A Father's Words of Wisdom

A few weeks back, Gill asked me if I wanted to author a guest post on her blog, and I figured I might not get the opportunity again, so I had better rise to the occasion.  Gill drew inspiration from a parenting blog (authored by a woman), that featured a male guest writer, who penned an open letter of sorts to teenage boys, offering 10 pieces of advice.  Cam, I know you've got quite a while until you become a teenager. However, I suppose part of my duty as a father is to offer you advice, so this seems like a great place to start.  To celebrate your "6 month-iversary" tomorrow, here are my first six pieces of fatherly advice to you:

 

6. Remember your please and thank-you's. Nothing in life is guaranteed to you.  If you'd like something, ask for it nicely.  If you get it, be sure to thank whoever gave it to you.  Even if you believe you deserve it, a humble and gracious attitude will serve you well.

5. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Following Number 6 here would be a good start.  If people come to find that you're a good-natured person, it will stick with them.  However, if other people's first impression of you is less than desireable, you'll have to work overtime to convince them otherwise.  I am not the slightest bit worried though.  Just flash them that million dollar smile, and you'll be fine (it definitely worked on me).

 

4. Be accountable.  Say what you mean, and mean what you say.  The best friends you'll have in your life are those that you can rely on (and who also know they can rely on you).  The world has plenty of people who will tell you one thing, and mean another.  Don't be one of them.

 

3. Always remember the golden rule.  "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." As you make your way through life, be mindful of the decisions you make, and the impact it will have on those around you.  As to how you interact with other people, take a moment to think how you'd feel if they treated you that way.  If you wouldn't want to be treated that way, chances are they wouldn't either.

 

2. Use good judgment.  As your namesake would tell you, this is less a piece of advice and more a way of life.  Trust me, you're going to hear it a lot.  There's one person, and one person only, that has to take responsibility for all of the decisions you make, and that's you.  So when it comes to those decisions, make sure you're comfortable with them, because they're yours and yours alone.  And since this is such an important lesson, I'll give you some context.  It scares me to contemplate how early I'll need to drill this into your head, but the internet is forever.  There was no internet when I was a kid, let alone e-mail, facebook and twitter.  This will present you with some many opportunities to connect with other parts of the world, but no matter what you think about the people you come in contact with, know this: everything out there is public.  Here's a rule of thumb for you.  If you're going to write something, picture me reading it back to you at the dinner table in front of your mother.  If you wouldn't to want hear it, don't write it.  In fact, just stay off the computer in general.  Go outside!  Ride a bike!  I'm always up for some catch (I don't even care what we're throwing... a football, a frisbee, a baseball... just ask)! 

 

1. Love your mother.  Cam, this one is very important.  No one in your life will love you as much as she does, and no one will give as much of themselves to you as she does.  Because of those reasons, amongst many others, she deserves your love and respect, and you should treat her accordingly.  Number 6 is very important here; it lets her know that you appreciate her.  Number 4 is important as well; you'll never have to wonder whether she's accountable to you, and you should extend to her the same courtesy.  Number 3 goes without saying.  And while I'm on the subject, treat all of the women in your life with respect.  As a man, this is an important lesson for you to learn, and any son of mine will learn it well.