What I Wish My Dad Told Me Growing Up

Dad taught me everything I know. Unfortunately, he didn’t teach me everything he knows. – Al Unser

I grew up in a military family.

My dad was deployed the majority of his military career.

I stayed mostly with my grandparents for most of my life.

Growing up, I didn’t have a bond with my parents.

For a lot of the drama that I experienced as a teenager and a young adult, I didn’t have anyone to turn to.

Not for a lack of trying, no one was around.

My mom working, dad deployed, grandparents were old and would rather watch the news than listen to me.

My siblings were young and going through their own crisis at the time.

My friends were mostly into stuff that teenagers were into and didn’t have the attention span to care or talk about things.

I was left to my own thoughts and had to work through many of the drama on my own.

Now that I have kids, I don’t want my son to experience feeling alone.

Not in any order of importance except for number one, things I want little man to know and one day understand.

This list is a collection of things I found, mixed with things that I’ve come to know.

Here’s what I wished my dad told and taught me growing up.

1. In all things, give glory to GOD.
2. The difference between guns and butter.
3. Never shake a man’s hand sitting down.
4. Don’t enter a pool by the stairs.
5. The man at the grill is the closest thing to a king.
6. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
7. Request the late check-out.
8. When entrusted with a secret, keep your mouth shut.
9. Hold your hero’s to a higher standard.
10. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
11. Play with passion or don’t play at all.
12. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look them in the eye.
13. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.
14. If you need music on the beach, you’re missing the point.
15. Carry two handkerchiefs. The one in your back pocket is for you. The one in your breast pocket is for her.
16. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.
17. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.
18. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking girl in the room.
19. Never turn down a breath mint.
20. A sport coat is worth a 1000 words.
21. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.
22. Thank a veteran. Then make it up to them.
23. Eat lunch with the new kid.
24. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.
25. Ask your mom to play. She won’t let you win.
26. Manners maketh the man.
27. Give credit. Take the blame.
28. Stand up to bullies. Protect those bullied.
29. Write down your dreams.
30. Take time to snuggle your pets, they love you so much and are always happy to see you.
31. Be confident and humble at the same time.
32. Set boundaries.
33. Don’t be afraid to say no.
34. Find a mentor and be a mentor to someone.
35. If ever in doubt, remember whose son you are and REFUSE to just be ordinary!

These will get little man started on the right path.

What are some words of wisdom that you’ve heard from your parents that I can add to the list, let me know in the comments.