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Last week we came up with an incredible list of things every son should know how to do before he leaves home. Several dads suggested we make a list for daughters...so let's do it.

Hey, I just had my oldest son change the oil on the car and I was thinking...I bet we could come up with a list of things every son should know how to do before he leaves home. So let's make a list and post it here.

The following was forwarded by familyman Alan Olson and is taken from Dr. Stephen Covey’s blog.

As a husband, father, grandfather and most recently a great-grandfather, I am thrilled with my growing family. They are my greatest blessing and my greatest joy.

Even still I’ve wondered over the years what mistakes I have made as a father. Of course, there are mistakes along the way. Looking back I think one of the things I would have done differently as a parent is spending more time developing informal win-win agreements with each of my children. Doing this consistently and over time, covering the different phases of their lives would have been beneficial.

Hey Dad, McDonald's Monopoly is back, and I was thinking that if we could utilize the collective might of Team Familyman, we ought to be able to win one of those great prizes. So...I will split the prizes between those who help us win.

I was forwarded the following blog article written by Prodigal Jon. The guy has a point…a dad’s point. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I don’t have any hard data on this, but I think that of all the major world religions, Christianity has the highest dork per capita ratio. Did I say that right? Is there a different metric we’re using to measure number of dorks that I should have referenced instead? Are we still rolling with the per capita ratio? It’s so hard to find good research on this topic.

Like many men, especially those in the body of Christ I found myself in the midst of a struggle, not just for purity, but for life – spiritual life, not death. I was tired of striving for behavioral changes and failing.

Let’s face it, sometimes we need help and a little kick in the rear. Ideally, we would run to scripture and draw directly on the awesome power of God’s word. However, on occasion it takes another human who has gone ahead of us to help us along the way.

This has been floating around the INTERNET for about a year (posted on the Familyman Forum by djlemly) and I’m not sure who wrote or if it is true…but it could be true and any of you might have done the same.

So to whoever wrote it, thanks. Hope he won’t mind but I did a little editing to make it a little more family friendly. Also, I’m not endorsing this guy’s father’s discipling techniques. I’m sure they’re alittle exagerated to make a good story…and it does.

I recently asked for a good definition of a dad. Here’s what you said:

~ A dad is a watchman with an ever-vigilant eye.

~ A dad is a steady rock in the storm with the warmth of a hug waiting inside.

~ A mom and dad are the ones who can just smile at the dirt on the nose (with boys) and the changing of the clothes (with girls) a minimum of 3 times a day.

*Name* – Mark Fry

*Age* – 38 (39 in October)

*Location* – Sandy (Just south of Salt Lake City), Utah

*Years Married* – 8

*Number of Children* – 2 boys (Colin — 14, Aidan 6 and the 3rd boy — Ryan – on the way any day now!)

*Employment* – Training Manager for a software company “Datavision Technologies”:http://www.datavisiontech.com/ that deals with 4 and 5 star hotels all over the world.

I didn’t write these but they sure are funny…and true.

Alabama: At Least We’re not Mississippi -&- Yes, We Have Electricity

Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can’t be Wrong! -&- We Also Take American Money

Arizona: But It’s a Dry Heat

Arkansas: Litterasy Ain’t Everything