A DOZEN WAYS TO BE A GOOD DAD

1. Love unconditionally, and express it every day.
2. Lecturing  is not communicating.  Try active listening as well.
3. Model working hard.
4. Be a storyteller.
5. Children are very funny.  Develop a sense of humor. 
6. Care about the mother of your children.
7.  Have expectations. Let your children know that rules are necessary in life .  Establish only those that are truly necessary for safety and learning, then stick by them. 
8. You are your daughter's first boyfriend.  Don't break her heart by leaving.  If you must, make her feel she is still #1 in your heart.
9. You are your son's role model for being a father and husband.  Maximize his success by being the way you would have wanted your father to be. 
10. Pitch in and help around the house, even if you are dead tired. 
11. It isn't always necessary to  be right, just to be right.
12.  Change is a part of life.  Be an evolving parent.  If you are wrong, admit it and apologize.  This is a sign of maturity, not weakness.

My own father did not possess all of these traits, but I will always be grateful that he raised me to be proud of who I am and to to believe in myself.  Jim Valvano, basketball coach and broadcaster agreed.  He said, "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”  I hope this message strikes a chord with fathers everywhere.  Happy Father's Day!