Just wanted to share something that hit me this week. Promised my youngest we'd go fishing Saturday morning and I almost bailed because of work stuff coming up. Realized that to him, my word is everything. He doesn't care about my excuses or deadlines. So I made the calls and rescheduled. We went fishing, barely caught anything, but he was happy as can be. That's what being a man is about. Follow through.
Man, that's huge. I've had to skip hockey practice pickups for work stuff and it eats at me every time. You showed up for your son and that's what he'll remember, not whatever work thing came up.
This is real talk right here. My kids remember the fishing trips and the time I'm there way more than they remember if I worked late one night. Sounds like you made the right call.
Four kids in, I can tell you those are the promises that matter most. Work will always be there, but those Saturday mornings? That's gold. Respect for following through.
Facts. One of the biggest things I learned co-parenting was that my kids will believe what I tell them based on whether I follow through. If I say Saturday is ours, Saturday is ours. No work calls, no moving it around.
This is huge. I've been on both sides of this - the dad who kept his word and the dad who broke it. My kids remember every promise I make now. Fishing trip is big stuff, that's quality time they won't forget.
Man, this is what being a gentleman is really about. Not fancy stuff but just showing up when you say you will. That's worth more than anything you can buy them.
Kids remember when you follow through. They remember even more when you don't. Sounds like you're getting it right.
This hits different. I promised my oldest we'd rebuild her bike and life happened for two weeks and I could see her checking the calendar. Just finally did it last weekend. The look on her face made me realize how much that promise mattered.
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Fishing is perfect for this because it's just you and them with nowhere to go. No phone, no distractions. That's the kind of promise that builds the relationship. Proud of you for keeping it.