Dad have important roles in raising and shaping their kids - especially their sons.

Talking Points:

  • #1 Teach your son to win and lose. How we react to victory and defeat is is what matters, and you can model this early.
  • #2 Teach him the right attitude toward women. Take your son with you on errands and to get gifts for mom – let him take part in the process. Treat women well in public and let your son glean from your positive example.
  • #3 Have a man-to-man conversation about love. Consider sharing stories about your first date, your dating life, and your first love – even if it ended in heartbreak.
  • #4 Teach him how to fight back. Dads can also provide valuable insight into what situations sons should walk away from and what situations they need to stand up in. Teach your son that kindness is not weakness.
  • #5 Teach him new tricks. Having a wide breadth of skills and knowledge will help your son as he grows, and may even help him excel in his career later on.
  • #6 Help him master domestic duties. Tying a tie, shaving, doing the dishes, and ironing shirts are all important domestic skills.
  • #7 Help him find his own worldview. Help him understand that not everything in the world is black and white. He has to learn to discern his path out of the confusing mess the world can sometimes be.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. In what ways was your dad a positive influence in your life? What were some areas in which he didn’t succeed at being a positive influence?
  3. Why is it important for dads to teach sons what it looks like to win and to lose? Give an example of how you learned this lesson.
  4. What are some ways you can teach your son to have the right attitude toward women?
  5. Why is it important for dads to set positive examples and to reinforce those examples with good conversations?
  6. How did your dad teach you to stand up for yourself and for what’s right? How can you pass on those lessons to your son?
  7. What are some tricks, duties, and responsibilities your dad taught you well? What were some areas you wish he had instructed you in?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?