What could destroy America

Theodore Roosevelt said, "The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life."

I believe the same could be said of our families. Talk about Roosevelt's quote around the dinner table tonight and get your family's input.

Have your kids take a quiz to see how well you're doing as a father, click here!

Repeat Yourself

Fifty percent of our speaking involves the recycling of the same 100 words. Even in Shakespeare's works, 40 words make up forty percent of the text in his plays. We repeat words a lot, so why not make them positive words that will encourage our children?

How many "I love you" and "I'm proud of you because..." statements have you spoken lately to your children? No matter how many times, it's still not enough. Intentionally repeat yourself often.

Need some conversation starters? Click here!

A beautiful family

Jay and Suzanne Faske of Brenham, Texas are the embodiment of All Pro Dad and iMom as the parents of 15 children. Three are biological and thirteen are adopted from India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Colombia. Think any of these kids harbor the least bit of bitterness? Ask Jay. Once, when the Faske family already numbered in the double digits, he called a family meeting. "You have two choices," he said. "Either you can have a swimming pool, or we could adopt more children. But not both." The children cast their votes on strips of paper. "Not one voted for the pool," Jay says, still in disbelief. And their numbers increased. What a beautiful family.

Is adoption an option for your family? Find out here.

Leaders build leaders

In 1998, half of all the head coaches in the NFL had either worked directly for Bill Walsh or Tom Landry, or had worked for someone who did. Currently, four head coaches in the NFL were assistant coaches for Tony Dungy. Great leaders build leaders.

This is true in sports, in the business world, and at home. So what makes a great leader? Humility. The willingness to listen to others. Apologizing for and correcting mistakes. Are you that kind of leader? If so, you are replicating the best in others long after you’re gone.

Read about some great leaders in the NFL Click Here.

What hands-on looks like, Part 2

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found kids with "hands-off" parents are twice as likely to smoke, drink and do drugs.

In the previous blog, we hit the first six characteristics of being a-hands-on-parent. Here are the rest: be very aware of your teen’s grades, have a curfew, eat dinner together most every night, know where your teen is at all times, and tell your kids you won't tolerate any drug use.

So be "hands-on" and your teens will keep their hands off drugs.

For the complete hands-on article: click here.

What hands-on looks like, Part I

A new study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse says the key to keeping your kids off of drugs is to be a-hand-on parent. What does that mean?

Well, these parents monitor their kids TV-watching and Internet use, they put restrictions on what music their kids buy, they know where their kids are after school and on weekends, and they give regular chores to their children.

Tomorrow we'll hit the other half of the list.

For the complete hands-on article: Click here.

You only half-listen

Science has proven that most men really aren't good listeners. An Indiana University researcher found in a new study that men listen with only half their brains while women use both sides. So men, is it hopeless? Nope. But it means we’ll have to try twice as hard as women.

Concentrate on what your wife is saying and resist the urge to interrupt. Good listening, like good speaking, is an art that must be learned and an invaluable treasure in marriage.

Is your marriage headed for divorce? Click here.

Not everyone is doing it

Studies show that half of all male high school students are virgins, up from 39 percent in 1990.

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, 92 percent of all teens ages 15 to 17 believe that being a virgin in high school is a good thing.

Contrary to what some popular television shows and movies indicate, being a teen virgin is pretty popular.

Want to share your views of sex with your children? Click here.

The three needs of well-being

Your children have three physical needs that must be met for well-being and they can usually be met with lifestyle changes, not drugs:

Sleep - Dr. Timothy Roehrs, Director of the Sleep Disorders Research Center at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, did a study on young people and found when they get enough sleep, their sensitivity to pain was reduced to the same degree as a tablet of codeine and they were much happier and alert.

Diet - Harvard Medical School professor of psychiatry Dr. Andrew Stoll has found that eating fish can be just as effective as prescription drugs in elevating moods.

Exercise - "I like to say that exercise is like taking a little Prozac or a little Ritalin at just the right moment," says John J. Ratey, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of A User's Guide to the Brain. "Exercise is really for the brain, not the body. It affects mood, vitality, alertness, and feelings of well-being."

Sleep, diet and exercise are the trinity of good physical and emotional health in children. Make sure these three are priorities before resorting to pharmacology.

Did you know we offer complimentary online fatherhood classes? Click here.

Dance with Cinderella

Musician Steven Curtis Chapman wrote the following lyrics:

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you.

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Dance with your Cinderella and get other dads to do the same before your girls are gone. Plan a Daddy/Daughter dance at her school. For a how to guide: Click here.

Gift of Inspiration and Encouragement

Score big with your father, brother, son or friend this holiday season with a gift of inspiration and encouragement.

Order our special, highly-collectible autographed edition of Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life, by Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who speaks man-to-man about the struggles and successes in his life, both on and off the football field. His quest for excellence and integrity has been revealed in Coach Dungy’s commitment to his faith and family life, and rewarded with the highest honor in his profession, the Super Bowl trophy. His story inspires us all to examine and redefine our ideas of what it really means to be a winner, in the game of football and in the game of life.

Click here to order the New York Times Best Seller Quiet Strength, a 256-page hardcover memoir with full color photos. Suggested donation: $25. Or for an extra special gift, order our highly-collectible autographed edition. Suggested donation: $55.

All Pro Dad Apparel

Looking for a great Christmas gift for yourself or another All Pro Dad you know? Be sure to check out our great selection of All Pro Dad apparel by clicking here..

Please order by December 14 to guarantee arrival before Christmas. Thanks again for being an All Pro Dad. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

Your wife's antibodies

Most women are marvelously social creatures and love human interaction. In fact, by just being around your spouse, you can actually raise her antibodies to help fight infection and alleviate her stress. And this can do wonders in your marital relationship. We’ve stressed over and over the importance of spending time one-on-one with each of your children. The same is true in marriage. Make time with her a priority and enjoy her. By doing so, you will inoculate your relationship against divorce.

For marital antibody-raising resources, Click Here

Neglect Your Family Gaurantee

You put a lot of time, love and effort into raising your children right. You can do everything well and, unfortunately, your kids can still make significant wrong choices that will lead them down ill-advised paths. There’s no guarantee that all your parental hard work will pay massive dividends down the road. Sorry. Chances are, it will. That’s why All Pro Dad is here.

But I can guarantee the opposite. If you are a workaholic, or couch potato, or hang out more with friends than family, or are cruel, or bitter, or sarcastic, or neglectful, your children will suffer and end-up broken under life’s train wreck. Very, very few exceptions to this rule. So as you’re weighing choices in your life and ranking them in importance, think about your decisions light of The Neglect Your Family Guarantee and ask yourself it it’s really worth it.

Do you know the 10 ways to be an All Pro Dad? Click Here

Champion Father

At three-years old, Tiger Woods shot a legitimate 48 on nine holes. He then went on to become perhaps the best golfer in history. But the most impressive thing in his life isn't what he's done on the golf course, but what's been done for him at home. Tiger Woods credits an unlimited love from his parents with giving him the confidence to succeed. The heart of a champion starts with the loving heart of a father.

For champion fathers on and off the field, visit allprodad.com .

Power of the pen

You write letters and notes to your most important clients, why not to your children?

Go to The Playbook and get some great tips on the power of the pen and how that can transform your relationship with your kids.

The Gift of Counter-Pressure

On April 10, 1963, the nuclear attack submarine Thresher was no more. Its deep-dive trials southeast of Cape Cod came to a cataclysmic end and all 129 men aboard perished in 8,400 feet of water. The nuclear reactor probably shorted out and the sub did not have enough power to stop itself from sinking to the bottom and getting crushed by massive water pressure. It was a tragedy. It's interesting to note that while a state-of-the-art submarine was crushed under pressure, there were thinly-scaled fish happily swimming around the accident site. How is that possible? Because the pressure inside the sea creatures was greater than the pressure around them. They were prepared all their lives for it.

What a great parenting parable. Our goal is to make our children so full of faith and happiness on the inside that they won't get crushed under the enormous peer and media pressure in our culture. We need to give them the gift of counter-pressure. And that starts with letting them know just how much you love them.

For more on teaching your kids about handling peer pressure, click here.

Stop Sibling Civil War

Tired of your kids fighting about anything and everything? Want an answer that really works? Here it is: don't do anything at all. What does that mean?

Visit This Link and see if some of these great suggestions won't cease some hostilities in your home.

Successful Dyslexia

The Economist reports thirty percent of American entrepreneurs suffer from dyslexia. That's an amazing statistic. How on earth is that possible? Well, when some students who struggle with reading don't give up no matter how hard it is, they learn to overcome and persevere. And that kind of determination translates well in the business world. So if your children have a hard time academically, realize that by encouraging them to never give up, you're equipping them for success.

Think your child might have a reading disorder? http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=285

A Future Worth Having

Want to guarantee your children will never live in poverty? Ask them to do two things: get a post-high school degree of some sort and don't have a baby until after they're married. Poverty for folks who meet those two qualifications is almost non-existent. In fact, if you and your family have a heart for the poor, tackling one or both of those social issues is the most effective way of helping people help themselves. Advocate for affordable education and minimal out-of-wedlock births and you'll be advancing a future worth having.

Worried about how to pay for your children's education after high school? Saving for College

Unstoppable

20 of the best basketball points ever scored. Unbeatable. Unrelenting. Unstoppable.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsVzOKqK-k and watch this with your children.

The brain is a strange and wonderful thing.

World magazine reports an 18-year-old motorcycle racer began a race as a Czech, but ended his day as an Englishman. After an accident left him unconscious for 45 minutes, young racer Matej Kus stunned emergency workers by awakening and speaking perfect English. A teammate noted Kus had been trying to learn English, but thus far had only a vague understanding of the language. According to his friends, when Kus awoke, he sounded like a BBC broadcaster.

This illustration proves what a great and marvelous thing the brain is. How things are stored and what prompts behavior is hardly understood and may never be. But we do know words shape the mind which shapes action. And as a father, your words do indeed chart your children's destiny. So if you're constantly critical, you're limiting your kids' potential. If you encourage, you breathe life into them. Your tongue is the rudder which steers your children's ship into the future.

Want to get inside your teen's brain? Visit http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=143

Make your bed, save your brain !

Science is now showing the more conscientiousness you are, the less risk you have for developing Alzheimer's. And Dr. Robert Wilson, author of this ground-breaking study, says conscientiousness starts with parents teaching their children how to make their own beds.

Go to http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=333 and read this very interesting article.

Freedom of choice

Author A.J. Jacobs just came out with a new book called The Year of Living Biblically. Jacobs is not a traditional believer, but he wanted to know what would happen if a modern-day American followed every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible. Not just the famous rules like the Ten Commandments and Love thy Neighbor. But the hundreds of oft-ignored ones like don't eat pork, don't wear clothes of mixed fibers and don't shave your beard. His surmise? I guess what surprised me was how relevant some of the rules were, and how much they affected my life. It was a life-changing and perspective-changing year...I believe in the idea of sacredness that rituals can be sacred, and the Sabbath can be sacred, and there's an importance to that. I also came to appreciate freedom from choice. Not having to worry about the smorgasbord of options, but only about obedience. It was liberating.

He, nor we, suggests this radical change of life. But the idea of the sacred and the freedom from choice are two very important components missing in the lives of many children. You can reinstitute these with a blessing ceremony -

http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=148

Parental Guidance always suggested

Are you relying on the G, PG, PG-13 and R ratings to determine which movies your kids can see? I would advise against that. I have seen R-rated movies portray the best in man dealing with the violence of war that would be character-building for older children to view. I've also witnessed PG movies where the central theme of the story is how much the children can disrespect the parents' a horrible message. As a father, first find out what's in the potential movie your children want to see and then determine whether it's helpful or harmful to your kids based on their age and understanding. Movies can be incredibly powerful teaching tools if you and your kids go see a great flick together. But your guidance is always suggested.

For a great website to determine movie content - http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=198

Leave home without it . . .

In 2001, MIT did a study called Always Leave Home Without It and compared how much individuals would pay for the same item using either cash or a credit card. Buyers paid an average of 30-40% more for the same item when credit was used instead of dollars. Why? Because it doesn't seem like real money. I have a rule of thumb that works for me. If something is under $20, I pay cash for it. Not debit. Hard cash. I am that loser in the Visa commercials. If its over $20, I usually discuss it with my wife before purchasing with a credit card. This may not be practical for everyone, but I have found it provides a great checks and balance system. If you owe on your credit card, you need to establish safeguards. Money is a great servant but a poor master.

For great tips on getting out of credit card debt, http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=238