1 of 1

Hey Dad,

Well, we're back home for a little while. Even made it through the Cleveland Triangle without mishap. Just in case you've forgotten or hadn't heard, in the last two years our RV caught fire and a turkey flew through our windshield within a couple miles of each other … in the Triangle.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous when we approached The T. Just to be safe, I checked my speed, cleared a path to the fire extinguisher, and had my cell phone ready to dial 911. But nothing happened. Once again, God graced us with smooth sailing.

Now that we're home, I'd like to think that I can kick it into cruise control … but there is no cruise control setting on the fathering steering column.

In fact, over the last several weeks, I have become painfully aware that I have a lot of work to do at home. I've noticed many bad habits and bad attitudes that have crept into our family … probably picked them up on the road (certainly not from us).

Now I don't mean to be a nag, but I've noticed that maybe your family has picked up some bad habits as well. You see, in the last two months, I've talked to lots of dads and moms all over the country. I've had dads tell me about teenagers with bad attitudes, obnoxious toddlers, and marriages that have lost their carbonation. Many are discouraged and weary of the battle.

I always give them the advice that I'm giving you and giving to myself: Deal with it.

It's up to you and me, Dad, to turn off the cruise control and deal with the issues facing us. Our kids are counting on us to keep working and training them, never giving up for an instant (well okay, maybe for a few seconds … but not any longer than that).

I know it's exhausting and unrelenting … but that's okay; we're the dads. We can handle it—bring it on.

I'm going to start by having a family meeting. I will apologize for allowing things to get out of hand, set a clear path, and then get behind the driver's wheel, because I'm the captain, and we don't have cruise control on this ship.

So, make it hap'n, Cap'n.

Aye, Aye … You 'da dad,

© 2006 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

 1 of 1

share this page

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help