This week its tips called "Dads do's and don'ts" there good....... I hope you took a look at last weeks tips for resoving conflict, I thought that they were terrific!<P>Here ya go:<P>10 Do's and Don'ts for Dads<BR>by Steve Arterburn<P>1. Connect before you correct. Part of every Dad's role is to bring a <BR>healthy sense of structure and discipline to the family. Communicating <BR>with your child, which includes listening to their "side" of the issue, is <BR>a key first step in successful, loving discipline. <P>2. Be there. One of the great myths is that a little "quality" time makes <BR>up for a substantial "quantity" of time. Going to school, sporting and <BR>other events is a big deal! It says - "I have your best interests at the <BR>center of my heart" to your child. Don't think only about your own affairs, <BR>but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. ~ Philippians <BR>2:4<P> <BR>3. Express love often. Kids (especially pre-teens and teens) act like <BR>they don't want their parents to "make a fuss" over them. It's just an <BR>act. Kids need hugs and kisses ... affirm them at every opportunity. <P> <BR>4. Phony, macho men are only heroes in the movies. Real Dads aren't <BR>perfect. You can be a hero to your children if you open your heart to them <BR>and admit when you've made mistakes. They have an enormous capacity to <BR>forgive and their hearts' desire is to love and be loved. People who cover <BR>over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, <BR>they will receive mercy. ~ Proverbs 28:13 <P> <BR>5. Never make your child choose between parents. If you have problems <BR>with your wife, don't try to convince your child that you're "right" or <BR>the "victim". This causes an emotional split in your child and will <BR>ultimately drive him or her further away from you. Confine the adult <BR>issues to the adults. <P> <BR>6. Love your wife. The greatest Dad in the world will minimize the true <BR>impact he has on his children if he does not model Godly intimacy in front <BR>of his kids. That's where the cornerstone of their future marriage is <BR>laid. Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must <BR>clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, <BR>and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive <BR>the person who offends you ... And the most important piece of clothing <BR>you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect <BR>harmony. ~ Colossians 3:12-14 <P> <BR>7. Be consistent. When you are consistent in your actions, love and <BR>discipline, an environment of safety and security is created. Kids need to <BR>know that there are some things they can always count on. Discipline your <BR>child while there is hope. If you don't, you will ruin their lives. ~ <BR>Proverbs 19:18<P> <BR>8. Be careful, you're in the spotlight. Your kids are watching every move <BR>you make. To some extent, their picture of you shapes their picture of <BR>their Heavenly Father. You have the opportunity to create a positive, <BR>loving image or a confusing and untrustworthy one. Instead, there must be <BR>a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new <BR>nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness - righteous, <BR>holy and true. ~ Ephesians 4:23,24 <P> <BR>9. Guard your tongue. The words you speak to your children can cut like a <BR>knife or send them soaring like a rocket. They will remember some things <BR>you say in passing for the rest of their lives. Kind words are like honey - <BR>sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. ~ Proverbs 16:24<P> <BR>10. Develop Godly character. Nothing will influence your children more <BR>than watching you grow in your relationship with God. You can preach the <BR>Gospel by your actions much more effectively than you can by your words. <BR>And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue <BR>to live in obedience to Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up <BR>nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in <BR>the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for <BR>all He has done. ~ Colossians 2:6,7<P><P>------------------<BR>Jesus is the only answer!<BR>His blessings, Cozy