介绍： Hey John,

I took a class with you a few years ago and one topic (among many) I remember you talking about was good parenting. Except I remember you saying there was a difference between good parenting and great parenting. My wife and were divorced years ago, and I only had visitation of our kids. Looking bac...

介绍： Hey John,

I took a class with you a few years ago and one topic (among many) I remember you talking about was good parenting. Except I remember you saying there was a difference between good parenting and great parenting. My wife and were divorced years ago, and I only had visitation of our kids. Looking back at those days, I think I was mediocre at best. But here we are, and I now have four grandchildren, three boys and a girl. The ages range from four to eleven. I feel like I have one last chance to finally do this right. Can you give me some ideas?

Former Class Member in Colorado

Dear Gramps,

One might argue there is a big difference between being a father vs. a grandfather, but I disagree. Although our time with grandchildren is more limited than that of a parent, perhaps that makes the time we spend with them that much more important to do it right.

So taking what know about great parenting and adding grand parenting to the mix, I will enumerate a few ideas of great parenting.

1) Be a great role model. This means you may have to improve some shortcomings in order to present yourself as a better person. In other words, try to become the person you want your child to be.

2) Be your children’s entertainment director. They may choose to not love a sport like you do, but at least you gave them some memories of having fun with their Dad.

3) If you have a special talent, expose your kids to it. Throw in some fun instruction, and you have created an important memory and perhaps future skill for your children.

4) Train yourself that every situation, every event is a teaching moment. Conversely, doing a good, age appropriate job deserves fatherly recognition. Always.

5) Take your responsibilities to take care of them seriously. Someone recently reminded me that a great Dad takes his child support seriously, even when it is a huge burden. And for those who have remained married, working as best we can to help provide for them shows them how a great father watches over his family.

To all fathers and grandfathers, I say this: why settle for good if you can go down in your children’s lives as great? Great rocks.