09-24-2008, 11:24 PM
"Eleven-year-old twins have slapped their father with a lawsuit, because he doesn't spend any time with them."
This incident really happened, As part of a divorce settlement, the father was to see the boys every other weekend. However, he hadn't shown up in a year and a half. He had even had his phone programmed to block their calls, so the boys sued.
Absentee Fathers
This is a crisis in America. Kids raised in single-parent homes often struggle for idenity, attention, and stability. They also lack the companionship and mentorship that can be gained from being around a caring dad.
T.D. Jakes says, "Many youth are living in anger and in pain, wondering what they did to drive away their daddy. A father's absense leaves kids desperately looking for someone else to 'fill in the blank.' Like a puzzle whose pieces can never create a full picture of their identity, there always seems to be a part missing."
However, a different kind of "absentee father problem" is sweeping our land and affecting the families of many achievers.
Noted author and radio commentator James Dobson illustrates this crisis with a story about a little four-year-old who asks his playmate, "Where is your daddy? I never see him at your house."
The other boy replies, "Oh, he doesn't live here, he just sleeps here."
A key advisor to former President Bill Clinton walked away from his White House job after his ten-year-old son wrote him the following note:
"Baseball's not any fun when there is no one to applaud."
Success-oriented people don't need to become careerless to be good parents, but they must make family a priority.
Lee Iacocca, former chairman of the Chrysler Corporation, spent his evenings and Sundays at home with the family when he was in town. He felt that his job took up enough time without his having to shortchange his children.
Iacocca stated, "Of all the jobs I've had in my life, none has been more important to me than my job as a dad. I've always felt that when I die, if I can say I've done well by my family, then I've lived a full and good life."
In contrast, the son of a prominent national minister had a tearful reunion with his father in jail. The son repented of a rebellious lifestyle and drugs saying, "I've spent my whole life trying to get your attention."
One secret to avoiding this priority pitfall is to schedule family time the same as business appointments are scheduled. In addition, when you are with your family members, don't just place your physical body in their presence. Let them also have your mind.
A question to ask yourself: Must your children, grandchildren, and/or spouse fight to get your time and attention? What priority do you place on family?
"...a child left to himself bringeth his mother (or father) to shame." Proverbs 29:15
taken from Power Points for Success by Bob Harrison
This incident really happened, As part of a divorce settlement, the father was to see the boys every other weekend. However, he hadn't shown up in a year and a half. He had even had his phone programmed to block their calls, so the boys sued.
Absentee Fathers
This is a crisis in America. Kids raised in single-parent homes often struggle for idenity, attention, and stability. They also lack the companionship and mentorship that can be gained from being around a caring dad.
T.D. Jakes says, "Many youth are living in anger and in pain, wondering what they did to drive away their daddy. A father's absense leaves kids desperately looking for someone else to 'fill in the blank.' Like a puzzle whose pieces can never create a full picture of their identity, there always seems to be a part missing."
However, a different kind of "absentee father problem" is sweeping our land and affecting the families of many achievers.
Noted author and radio commentator James Dobson illustrates this crisis with a story about a little four-year-old who asks his playmate, "Where is your daddy? I never see him at your house."
The other boy replies, "Oh, he doesn't live here, he just sleeps here."
A key advisor to former President Bill Clinton walked away from his White House job after his ten-year-old son wrote him the following note:
"Baseball's not any fun when there is no one to applaud."
Success-oriented people don't need to become careerless to be good parents, but they must make family a priority.
Lee Iacocca, former chairman of the Chrysler Corporation, spent his evenings and Sundays at home with the family when he was in town. He felt that his job took up enough time without his having to shortchange his children.
Iacocca stated, "Of all the jobs I've had in my life, none has been more important to me than my job as a dad. I've always felt that when I die, if I can say I've done well by my family, then I've lived a full and good life."
In contrast, the son of a prominent national minister had a tearful reunion with his father in jail. The son repented of a rebellious lifestyle and drugs saying, "I've spent my whole life trying to get your attention."
One secret to avoiding this priority pitfall is to schedule family time the same as business appointments are scheduled. In addition, when you are with your family members, don't just place your physical body in their presence. Let them also have your mind.
A question to ask yourself: Must your children, grandchildren, and/or spouse fight to get your time and attention? What priority do you place on family?
"...a child left to himself bringeth his mother (or father) to shame." Proverbs 29:15
taken from Power Points for Success by Bob Harrison