My Fatherhood Checklist
At the end of every month, I write what I call a “Thought Paper.” I pick out something that has been on my mind that month and get it out on paper. I’ve been doing it for years and it has been a wonderful thinking tool.
As you would imagine, this month fatherhood has been on my mind. What is expected of a father? How can I surpass the expectations?
I decided to write, “My Fatherhood Checklist.” In it, I listed six principles that I think a son should rightfully learn from his father. Mothers help teach these principles. So do school classes and church meetings. But my conclusion was that fathers should see to it that these six principle are taught and that a son understands them. Or to make it more personal for me, if my son doesn’t know these principles as he grows up, I am specifically at fault and should be held accountable.
My paper is long. Here is a summary of the six principles:
1) The Priesthood of God is a call to serve. It is to be used to bless and help others. Use it as the scriptures instruct. Accepting the Priesthood holds you to a higher standard. It is your commitment to serve when you are called as a missionary and in any other calling issued from the Church. God will bless you all your life and you have a duty to help bless others. Follow righteous Priesthood holders like the prophet and the twelve apostles.
2) Being wise with your finances will save you trouble and heartache. Work an honest job for your money. Always pay your tithing first, then your savings account, and then your bills. If you don’t have enough for your bills, change your lifestyle. A budget should be kept and money should be tracked. Schools don’t teach this, but it’s absolutely critical. Media will teach you to live on credit but debt is an incredible burden to have on your shoulders.
3) Pornography is as dangerous as a drug. Avoid it at all costs. When others may tell you it is “normal” or “healthy”, know that your father and your Heavenly Father are of an opposite opinion. Avoid it like you would a deadly disease. It teaches disrespect for women and portrays an inaccurate view of the world. It makes you idle in progression. If you do slip, find help from me or your bishop as soon as you can.
4) Respect women. Treat them with kindness. Even in the hard times, always be respectful. This applies to all women, not just the ones that attract you. And more than any others, respect your mother and your wife.
5) Patience is a prized characteristic. Do all you can to learn it. It will make you a better father, a better leader and a better person. It will save you from being both offensive and offended. It will help you control your temper. It will allow you to lead in times of emergency or uncertainty. The more you are patient, the easier it is to do.
6) Learn from history and the experience of others. Learn to love history. There have been so many people who have succeeded and failed, learn from them. Read how cities were created and destroyed. Learn about intelligent and successful women and men and absorb their characteristics. Read The Book Of Mormon and the restortation of the Gospel thru Joseph Smith to see how God deals with His people. When you rub shoulders with giants of past, you become one in the present.
There is a lot more a father should teach his children, but these are the six that I chose as absolutely critical. If from no where else, these principles must come from the father. I’d love to hear what’s on your list.
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For His Adoring Fans
While we’re away on vacation, I thought I’d try something new.
When I take a picture with my iPhone, it automatically gets uploaded to flickr and then lands in the sidebar of this blog. so now Grandma Susan can always know what little Cole George is up to on his first big trip.
Going On A Monkey Hunt
Are you tired of the Cole posts yet? Well, here’s another anyway.
Cole is such a nice boy. Even when we lay him down to sleep he is calm and observant. Above his bed, we have a monkey mobile that we turn on to put him to sleep. Cole loves it and he likes to keep his eyes on the monkeys as they move around in circles.
I think it’s a great workout for his little eyes to learn to “keep his eye on the monkey.” That will come in handy when we get him in the batting cages.
Here’s a short video of Cole doing the monkey watch.
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(Quicktime Movie, iPhone enabled)
A Long Time Coming
For as long as I remember, I’ve been so excited to have my first son. My plan has always been to teach him baseball, guitar, prepare him for a mission and name him George.
It’s tradition in my family to have the oldest son with the middle name George. Kay George, Dale George, Brian George and now Cole George.
Last night we had both Grandpa Georges up for dinner. My dad suggested we take a photo. We probably could have found better lighting and background in the studio but we were just glad to have Grandpa Kay to play along.
So here is the photo. I look chubby, Dad looks happy, Grandpa looks proud and Cole just looks surprised by it all.
Whetting The Appetite of Sisters
I have two sisters coming in town this weekend to meet Cole. I think it’s so nice that they’re coming all the way here just to see him so here are two pictures to help ease the drive.
(I have yet to get Cole into my studio. I’m afraid those bright umbrella lights would really catch him off guard. These pictures were just taken of him laying in our Love Sac.)
I call this one “Whole Cole”
And this one “Thinking Cole”
My Cup Runneth Over
Now that we are a couple days since the birth of Cole, things have slowed down just a little. I’ve had a lot of emails asking for some photos, so here comes the obligatory newborn photo. I haven’t even unloaded my camera yet, but this one was taken by Grandpa Dale.
I know my sisters want to see the little guy in action so I’ve created a short clip too. There’s only a quick second on Candace to show everyone that she is still in good spirits and recovering well. The movie is here.
Speaking of Candace, if I could say one thing. What an amazing thing to watch a woman assume her role of motherhood. Everything I love about Candace has been multiplied and magnified in these last couple days. Cole could be the luckiest son on earth.
Cole is strong. The nurses are surprised at how he can move his head around so freely and react to voices in under a day. Maybe they say that to everyone, but it doesn’t matter. It’s having the intended affect. Of course we’re happy to see that. It means we have a healthy boy. It also means that he is well on his way to slipping into his role as the Red Sox clean up hitter. (Don’t worry, I’ve already talked to him at length about this call of duty.)
Thanks so much for the support from everyone.
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About Me
My name is Brian Stucki. I live in Las Vegas with my wife Candace and my son Cole. Other interests include my company, my religion, sports, and learning about history.
Feel free to contact me.