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Hey Dad,

I've never really considered myself the warmongering type. I don't condone physical violence, attend hockey games, or watch championship wrestling.

But I do believe that boys should stand up for girls …especially my girls.

A while back my wife and I were sitting at the kitchen table when Katherine (9) and Sam (11) wandered over and started talking.

"You know the last time we were at so 'n so's house?" she asked. "One of the boys said this to me …"

The words were inappropriate for little boys to say to little girls, and my jaw tightened.

My wife, being the levelheaded one, started to ask a few questions. Before she got very far, I jumped in and said plainly, "Sam, if anyone ever talks to your sister like that again …take him OUT."

My wife turned to me shocked by my harsh instructions.

"Todd," she said, "That isn't …"

I wasn't finished. "If anyone talks like that to your sister …clean his clock!"

"Todd …"

"Knock his block off …"

"TODD …"

"Punch out his lights …"

"Honey …"

"Sweep the leg … take no prisoners!"

My sweet wife tried to soften my advice, but I wouldn't let her. No one talks to my princess that way, and I wanted my son to know right then and there that he has my blessing to do whatever it takes to protect the honor of his sister.

Since then, I've calmed down and had time to think …but my thinking hasn't changed. I want my boys to grow up knowing that their chief responsibility is to protect the women in their life who need a knight in shining armor that will slay dragons and ruffians alike for them.

Not long after that, my wife and I were talking to another couple about a tense situation where the wife's integrity was challenged. She weathered the situation, but confided, "I just wanted my husband to stand up, draw out his sword, swish it around, and say, 'Stop talking about my wife that way!'"

Your wife wants to know that her mild-mannered husband will get violent if her honor is at stake. She wants you to stand up to your in-laws, siblings, family members, or acquaintances and come to her rescue. In fact, the best way for you to train your boys to stand up for their sister and future wife is for you to stand up for your wife.

So, Dad, if you have some sword swooshing to do …do it!

You 'da Dad,

© 2006 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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