slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

The following is from Dr. Criswell Freeman's book 'Fathers Are Forever.'

"Think...pause...then speak: How wise is the father who can communicate in this way? But all too often, in the rush to have themselves heard, fathers may speak first and think later...with unfortunate results.

If we seek to be a source of encouragement to our children, we must measure our words carefully. Words, especially those spoken by a parent, have the power to hurt or to heal. Our words can uplift our children or discourage them. And, of course, if our words are reckless or spoken in haste, they cannot be erased.

As a loving father, your challenge is clear: You must choose words that encourage and empower your children. You must speak wisely, not impulsively. You must employ words of kindness and praise, not words of anger or derision. When you do, you will lift up your children today, and, more importantly, you will give them the confidence they need to lift themselves up tomorrow."

Admittedly, during earlier years as a parent, I could have done better in following Dr. Criswell's wisdom. Fortunately, my now adult children overcame any parental shortcomings. My efforts continue, and I strive in my attempts to improve for both them and our grandchildren.

kankune Loc: Iowa

Such a good post Slat. It took me a long time to learn that. Sometime I still have to take a physical step back before I open my big mouth. lol

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

I sometimes couldn't speak coherently because my foot was in my mouth.

debeda

Yep second that Kankune. My oldest will be 48 in July you'd think I would have it down by now. But nope! The mouth still sometimes just seems to have a mind of its own. LOL

debeda

Lololol I hear ya Poppa!

debeda

Great post, thanks! Words for all parents to live by (or at least try like heck!!)

JRuss

No "Gun Free Zone" can guaranteed to be "Gun Free" without detection [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aox5_1abHE4 ] and enforcement [armed guards that act when a weapon is detected]. Technology now supports the building of invisible devices that can scan an area up to 15 feet distant from detector and then sound and alarm when a weapon is detected. Then traffic must be stopped and a guard must pull the person with a weapon out for appropriate action.

debeda

Or.... how about metal detectors that taze you if you walk through with enough metal to be a gun? (Just funnin)

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Ditto for me, that little ole tongue can cut a lie off at its birth or lift a person to new heights or wound a dear friend. Putting my mind in gear before putting my mouth in motion has always been a major flaw of mine.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yep.

debeda

For sure, for sure!

bahmer

Excellent post Slats, and I like you could have done better. My dad was somewhat of a hot head and I started out in my fathering years similar to him. It took me awhile to realize that I was the one in error more so than my children. I had to apologize to them and promise to try and do better. Now that is humbling for a supposed grown up but needed to be done. My latter years as a father were far better for both me and my children thankful to say. Being a father is work, but a work of love.

debeda

Good on you bahmer!!! Isn't that what becoming an adult means? Figuring out what we're doing and correcting our course!! My course has never been very linear LOL

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Hope you taught them not to be tattle-tales...:)

kankune Loc: Iowa

Don't I know it. Sometimes that baby just throws out words and I have no idea where they're coming from. 😉😉😉