By Todd Wilson

Hey Dad,

Ever notice that sightseeing is a little like life? Here's what I mean: We've traveled this great country of ours in our big RV that we call the Familyman Mobile for the last two decades. We've seen all kinds of historical sites and beautiful creation, but in all this, I've noticed one constant that is beginning to get on my nerves. My sweet, adorable offspring would sometimes rather go to Wal-Mart than ride to the top of Pikes Peak, spend a few minutes at the Air Force Academy, or visit the boyhood home of President Eisenhower.

The phraseology goes something like this, "Do we have to … ?" It's not that I think my children invented the phrase. In fact, I can remember saying the same thing to my parents when they announced that we were going to visit the fort at St. Augustine, Florida.

Once, we visited the Grand Canyon and for three hours before arriving, they continued to ask, "Do we have to? It's hot...so far...how long do we have to stay"...and on and on.

Here's the thing, Dad. When our children ask this question, we are tempted to recant and say, "Well, okay. If you don't want to, I guess we won't." But that's not what dads are supposed to say. When faced with "Do we have to … ?", or "I don't wanna," that's when dads need to set their jaw with determination and boldly proclaim, "Yes, you have to, and you're going to like it … and even if you don't like it, you're going to do it."

Somehow in our society, we dads have quit saying, "Yes, you hafta." Teenagers give excuses why they don't want to go to great-Aunt Ruth's 90th birthday party, and what's worse is—we dads fall for it. It's up to us to do what's right for our children and our family. They may not want to. It may be hard, hot, or inconvenient. But as long as we're the dads of the family, we can say, "YES, YOU HAVE TO!!"

They may complain, huff, and pout, but I've learned that after they do what they didn't want to do, they'll be glad that they “had to.” And one day they'll even respect you for making them, as I do my father for making me see the fort, taking swimming lessons, and visiting my grandparents when I'd rather have stayed home.

So Dad, you know those things that you've wanted to do with your family? Don't worry about if it's popular with the troops. Do it!

And when they say, "Do we have to?" Answer, "You betcha!"

Todd Wilson

“The Familyman”

#stayingmarried

C: 574-253-1663 / Email: familyman@familymanweb.com

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