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?
DeLeah Caro
Esti Ginzberg
Best Players 6-5 and Under
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Sports has so many thugs, drugs and athletes that clearly lack common sense.. maybe family values returning would help....
drj0514
Total Comments (4471)
Good blog, and good points. it seems as though we've gone from "Father Knows Best" to the "Osbornes." It may take some time however to go back. As long as athletes, and rock stars are where young people see success, and parents continue to allow the TV to raise their children, we're going to have to deal with the results.
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (7942)
Very Good Blog.
Daveita
Total Comments (973)
Great Blog.... I think the main problem raising kids is the cost of living. 30 years ago a man could support his entire family on a salary from a 40 hour work week. Now adays, the man has to work, and so does the wife......Thats gonna be the down fall of middle america, and middle america is what has kept this country together for this long.....
Goodell: NFL's…
Nfl Headquarters, NY
Total Comments (7387)
With "dad" putting in 50+ hours a week at work, and "Mom" having to put in 40, the kids suffer. Not for a lack of love or attention, just TIME. Time is the only thing that cannot be made or fabricated. I agree that we all need to spend more time with our kids, but who's gonna pay the mortgage?? You dont have to answer that question, its rhetorical
I was working, and after the birth of our daughter my wife went back to work full time at a nursing home. The only thing that came out of it was we were in MORE debt then we were before. The daycare wanted $1000 a month for my daughter to stay while my wife worked. Of course she didnt get paid while in training, so the 3 months she was in training drained our savings. Thats the goin rate in WA state for a new born. So, my wife was working to pay for daycare, and she didnt make much more then $1000 a month after taxes......We made too much for state assistance. This is what america has come to...EXPLIOTING the care or children for a profit
Goodell: NFL's…
Nfl Headquarters, NY
Total Comments (7387)
Great Blog....
As a 54 year old... I can remember vividly my father insisting that "homework" came first before TV and playing outside. I can also recall that when dinner was served, the TV was turned off and we sat as a family around the table and discussed our day.
I also agree with some of the responses above.... American ( unfortunately ) has changed in the last 40 years. With both parents nearly always required to work, time and the lack there of has become a challenge. All the more reason however to take the time needed to teach our kids solid values and lessons in life.
Well done Dr. J.... and thanks for reminding us of what is really important in life.
CrimsonTex
Katy , TX
Total Comments (132)
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