Psychodad Article – Golden Rules
1. Priorities – Faith, Wife, Kids, Country - Faith (Belief in a higher power and karma) for the health of your soul and to remind you not to be an A-hole. Wife next because she keeps your house in order, or should keep your house in order. Kids after Wife only because they shouldn’t be spoiled and need to understand what family means. Country because we live in the greatest country in the world and we should be proud.
2. Family First – Family comes before sports, beer, guns, guys night out, chicken wings, cars or whatever else floats your boat. So if its NFL Conference championship Sunday but there is soccer practice, then man up, tivo it and be there for the kids.
3. Stay Strong – physically, mentally and emotionally. Stay in shape. Be the guy that your kids look up to and want to be like. Exercise and play with the kids. Also, stay in shape so your wife looks at you with interest instead of disgust. Stay strong mentally. Be smart and keep your house in order. Finally, be a man always which means don’t get emotional about things. It’s ok to be angry or upset but don’t show it all the time. Suck it up and be the rock.
4. Celebrate All Things Man – If you’re into firearms then go to the range once a month. If you’re into sports then go outside and school somebody. If you’re a fisherman then pull on some tuna. Do the things that you are into. And remember, it’s OK to think that American Idol is a lame show or that the WNBA is a waste of time. It is not a crime to be a straight man in the USA even though it may seem like that sometimes. Slam a beer to this one!
5. Be Positive, Don’t Hate – Be positive and remain positive. The kids will pick up on this and benefit from it and your wife will always appreciate it. Don’t hate on people or things or views, you’ll only drive your kids toward those things. Educate them instead. Remember, being positive does not mean taking crap off of anybody or any thing.
To discuss these rules and add your own, "go here".
