Dad Didn’t Know I Was Watching

Steven Cribbs    Parenting    

Today I have the privilege of guest posting for KC over at SomeWiseGuy.com.  KC’s blog is all about life and leadership for dangerous dads and manly men.  So, I thought I would share a story about my dangerous and manly dad…and some things that I have learned about being a dad (parent) from watching my dad.

Here is an excerpt from the post.  Be sure to check out the complete story on SomeWiseGuy.

I watched my dad a lot while I was growing up.  I know, we all watched our parents, didn’t we?  Sometimes my dad knew I was watching and sometimes he did not…like the time that he apparently gained clearance from the FAA to perform as a low-flying aircraft.

When I was in 7th grade, my dad took me on a camping trip with our boy scout troop.  We pitched a tent.  We hiked.  We chopped firewood.  We built a campfire.  We cooked food over the campfire (including smores).  It rained.  We had fun.  And we had to leave early so that I could be back home in time for a soccer game.

We were supposed to leave really early Saturday morning.  However, we overslept.  We hurried to get things settled and into the car.  We left late; really late.  And, as my custom was, I sacked out while my dad drove.

Now for the low-flying aircraft part…

Click here to check out the rest of the story and to learn the Four Roles Children Need From Their Dad.  You may even want to leave a comment and engage the conversation while you are there.

Photo Credit: Remco Donselaar

I Never Knew My Dad Was A Lion Tamer

Steven Cribbs    Parenting    

My dad has always been a hero to me.  I have always seen him as a man to respect, a man of authority and a man to fear (fear in a good way).  But, I never knew that he was a lion tamer!

Several years ago, my dad was introduced to a group of young boys as a lion tamer.  Pretty exciting, huh?  I think there was some mention of the chair and whip that he used and the narrow escapes from certain death.  The young boys were captivated.  They hung on every word and wanted to hear every detail.

Interesting side note, though, is that my dad has never stepped foot into a cage with a lion (like a circus hero), into a den of lions (like a favorite biblical hero) or into a pit with a lion on a snowy day (like some other biblical hero).

My dad has done many things in his life, and 4-legged beasts have never been a match for him (he was a dog-whisperer before there ever was The Dog Whisperer).  But, I have never known him to be in the circus or even to have gone on an African safari.  Needless to say, I was a bit surprised at this new twist. read more

What To Do When Your Child’s Feelings Are Broken

Steven Cribbs    Parenting    

Recently, one of my young sons got into a bit of an argument with some other kids.  Afterwards, I could tell he was upset.  But, this was not the normal upset.  I have seen my son get angry in these situations and then respond in that anger.  This time, though, was a bit different.

Like the good father that I am (or, at least, want to be), I tried to talk with my son.  Initially, he did not say much to me.  However, as I watched him and his reactions to the unfortunate incident, I recognized a look of sadness.

After some time, my son was my son finally spoke a bit with me and used some words that I had not heard him use before.  Instead of words about how mean the other kids had been or what he wanted to do to get even with them, he said to me, “Dad, my feelings are broken.” read more

How To Keep Your Attitude From Erupting Into A Bad Attitude

Steven Cribbs    Life    

Your attitude affects everything you do and everything you experience – from work to play, from friendships to marriage and even to (or especially to) parenting.  Positive attitudes help make boring days fun and difficult tasks rewarding; while bad attitudes can destroy everything in your path.

We know all of this; but, it is still so easy to get stuck in a bad mood, to respond to situations in anger (like I did once) and even to disconnect from everyone and everything.  And, just when we are having our own little self-pity party, we have the privilege of experiencing everyone else reflecting our attitude back toward us.

So, how do we keep the awesome good attitude and fend off the evil bad attitude?

1. Identify your stressors.

Know what things put you on edge and make you more susceptible to a bad attitude and bad responses to other people.

read more