Category Archives: Best advice from dads

Dad Jumped into My Heart

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On a spring afternoon, a newborn bird fell to the ground.

Today’s story is from Melanie Swiercinski.

Dad jumped into my heart.

Melanie and her dad, John.
Ocean Beach, San Francisco (2011)

“Dad help, please hurry,” I cried. Like a shot, he bolted from the house. I was stretched out on the ground.

The newborn bird looked like a misshapen worm. Eyes sealed. His translucent flesh pale pink, all puckered and worn. Jagged pieces of shell lay spread in the grass. His mom surely figured him dead.

As soon as I called, Dad ran out and dove to the ground. He hurt like I hurt. He felt what I felt. He became me.   READ MORE 

Helping Your Child Step Down the Road

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Dad ripped the sheets back from my body. It was too early. I was ticked.

“You’re going to the tryouts,” he commanded. There would be no debate.

Alex with his dad

Alex, a future baseball GM,
with his dad, Don, and younger brother.

I was twelve, and obsessed with baseball (still am). I dreamed of playing professionally. “The Flames” were holding tryouts that day. This was a boys’ traveling team, one of the best.

The traveling teams were the way to stay sharp in the little league off-season. They were all tough to make. The Flames were among the best.

I had cold feet. I’d tried before, but always got cut. What was the point? Cozy and warm seemed a much better choice.   READ MORE 

Confidence in Kids Endures for Life

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With hunting season underway, it wasn’t the sight of three men with rifles that made John Hite uneasy. It was their demeanor.

Tommy Hite and sons

Tommy Hite and sons, 1988
L to R – Richard, Steven, John (at top) and David

He watched as the trio flagged down his buddy’s truck on the dusty dirt road twenty yards ahead. He couldn’t make out the words, but the message was clear.

Arms flailing. One spat in the road. Go home. Get out of here.

John quickly put his truck in park and slid out. “Son,” he said to his six-year-old boy, “stay here.” He approached the trio. “What’s the problem?”   READ MORE 

Taming the Foolish Child Rebel

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Notre Dame is a legendary place. A spot on the team means a chance at great fame.

Daniel Ruettiger

Rudy’s father Daniel Ruettiger

Rudy Ruettiger is a legend himself. He made the Notre Dame class. He then went on to become the heart of the Fighting Irish.

His dad, Daniel Ruettiger, was a war hero and legendary dad. 14 kids. Married a world-class mom. Worked three jobs. Yet he always found time to attend his kids’ games.

Yesterday Rudy told us how his dad shaped his life in “The True Meaning of Accomplishment.” Today Rudy shares a fathering moment very few know.

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How I’ve Been Living Without Reservations

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‘Living Without Reservations’ is her book. It’s also how she now lives her life. It wasn’t always that way.

Barbara Elaine Singer

They made it – a place called Alaska!

Ten years ago, Barbara Elaine Singer was a corporate exec, loving mom and dutiful wife. With a beautiful home, impressive new car, designer clothes and jewelry-filled drawer, Barbara had the life of her dreams.

Then unexpectedly one night (it’s a “wow” in her book), something occurred and everything changed. A job that no longer fit. Days without meaning. Dreams unfulfilled. What all seemed so right was now empty and wrong.
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Lower Expectations

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Yesterday, a friend said something I just couldn’t believe. He told me the best advice he’d ever given his daughter was that she should lower her expectations.  Lower expectations?

Graduation

Graduation

“I sent Lynne to the best private high school in town. I wanted only the best. It cost me a quarter-million dollars. After graduation, she went to one of those elite eastern colleges. I vividly remember the day we took her to enroll. The look. The atmosphere. The way people “were.” It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t her. She seemed excited, but I was concerned. However, I bit my lip; didn’t say a word. What did I know? I was only her dad.
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Controlling Your Concentration

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According to a British study, your IQ drops by 5 points when stoned, 10 points when distracted. In other words, you are 2X dumber when phoned than when stoned. Darren Hardy, publisher of SUCCESS magazine, referred me to the study and mentioned that:

On average, we are distracted every 11 minutes.
It takes up to 25 minutes to fully regain concentration.   READ MORE