I am a 15 year Athletic Director. I have three kids.  I have coached basketball, baseball, soccer and played baseball in college.  I know that life goes by very quickly and the time we have with our families is important.

I read an article today on FN encouraging the use of a system that allows you to spy on your child using a new phone system.  It stated it was a way to make sure they are not doing wrong things and to keep track of them.

I know some parents have used the internet, tv and sports to raise their child and they spend very little time with them.  Their child suddenly grows up and they are shocked that the years have flown by and they do not know their child anymore.  Fear creates distrust and they panick and are willing to do anything to make sure their child stays away from a wrong environment.

Gone are the days where families have movie night and days outside with activities just for the family.  In its place are parents struggling to survive an economy and working long hours just to survive.

There are some that still feel spending time with kids in the evening and at times on the weekend just to establish a relationship that can create trust and love still matters. There are some who coach in leagues with their child and value time in activities with their children. 

I know there is a need for hard work in academics, athletics; society in general.  I do hope some still feel a night playing board games or a trip camping still brings value to the family.

Instead of looking at ways to distrust your child; look for ways to build relationships with your family that will create life long friendships built on trust and love.

As a parent, coach and educator; I still look forward to father-daughter night every other weekend.  I also value the twice a month days my son and I just go out for fun; just to enjoy being a family.  My wife values our date nights and though I work 14 hour days at times; I seem to always find time to be a father and husband.

I hope we all not only train our kids to be academically and athletically all they can be but also build relationships that take less time in front of a computer and tv and more time together as a family.

Your thoughts?