After writting the previous post and pondering some thoughts today, I wondered what kind of father my kids think I am. For the past couple of years I have been struggling to keep my oldest son on track.
At times I think he is going to be one of the greatet outdoorsmen in the world and do great things with his brilliant talents. Other times I get so frustrated that I wonder what he is thinking, and what is he doing with his life? Today was one of those days.
In today’s society, kids are handed everything in life. They don’t know what it is truly like to work for what they have. As a youth, my father taught me how to work for the things I wanted. He provided what I needed. There is a difference! Today’s youngsters think the world owes them everything and every opportunity to experience what ever it is they feel at the time. How did we get to this point? Better yet how do we get past this, and get back to where we need to be?
I have to work two jobs to make ends meet. One job is running my own construction company, we do roofing mainly. I have done this since I was a younster, when my dad taught me how to work. I now am trying to pass this along to my oldest son with no luck. I’m also trying to pass along the outdoor heritage I enjoy so much. My rules are work first and play later. Get your work done and then you can enjoy the free time.
He feels I am too hard on him by trying to get him to learn how to work for the things he wants. He would rather sit up all night and play computer games, then expect me to take him hunting and fishing. My other kids are starting to fall into that same way of life. They expect everything to be done for them and handed to them. This is a constant battle with my wife. I don’t understand what is so wrong with making kids do their part inorder to be able to get to do the things they want. I don’t understand why my wife thinks that kids should be able to do as they please and not help out! She tells me that kids need to be kids. I agree but there needs to be responsibilities.
So with this battle brewing, what do my kids think of Father’s Day? Is it a day that dad gets to take them out and do what they want to do? Or do they think it is a day to hang with dad and thank him for what he has done for them? Better yet, do they just think he is a mean old crimudgen! The kids of today are different, way different from when I was a child. I just hope that some day mine look back and remember something that I tried to instill in them to make them a better person and a productive part of society. I guess if I accomplish that then, I have done something important in their lives.
