When I was growing up, I wanted to be just like my dad.
To me, he was Superman, Batman, and Spiderman, all rolled up together.
He knew the answers to every question. He knew how to fix everything from cars to lamps to cameras.

I was one of the fortunate kids who had their dad in the house.
Even if my dad was relaxing in his bedroom watching westerns on TV, I thought that being in the room with him would be enough for me.

This was good way of life until I became a teenager. My dad still worked hard to provide for our family.
But one day it hit me.
I was getting older and my dad didn’t really know me.
I was changing, inside and out, and he really didn’t notice. My dad was in the house, but he didn’t know who I was.

It took me until I became a father to realize that some of the shortcomings that my dad had was because he himself was without a father when he was 12 years old.
He honestly didn’t know how to communicate with me when I became a teenager.

I want to encourage every dad to get to know your kids.
Working hard and providing food and shelter are definitely to be commended.
Just as important are the conversations that you have with your children about what’s going on with them.

Do you know who their friends are? Although it might seem irritating, they really do like you to know who they hang out with.
Do you know who their favorite sports teams are? what their favorite foods are?
Take some time to ask them.

If you have to sacrifice anything, let it be your T.V. watching time or the time you spend on the golf course.
Let your kids know that although they are changing everyday, you still value them.

Don’t just be inside the house, get inside their hearts.