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143 Comments
- PATSCRU, on 10/12/2007, -14/+146don't you mean 12 awesome hacks?
- cwshea, on 10/12/2007, -12/+114Not to be a cynic, but...don't spend as much time on Digg?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+88in the immortal words of Christ Rock. "Your number one job as a dad is to keep her off the pole...."
- gypsi, on 10/12/2007, -2/+62"I TAKE CARE of MY kids"
"What're you bragging about? You're supposed to take care of your kids you dumb mvtherfvcker!"
---Chris Rock - RoundysSince, on 10/12/2007, -9/+69more like 12 common sense... and the scary part is, many Americans don't have the 12 common sense listed on the site.
- mutatron, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5813. Never make assumptions - test their abilities. As my daughter was growing up, I would often try things that would test her mental and physical abilities, just to see where she was. Sometimes people (usually mothers) would say stuff like "Imagine trying to reason with a toddler!" But it worked for me, maybe she was just smart.
- 2point71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+48hear hear... some of us are going to need all the advice they can get. i'm scared ***** if i'll ever be a good dad. or if i'll be one at all..
- zzhiwen, on 10/12/2007, -6/+51Abusing your wife is hilarious...hahaha....except it happens for real. Stop laughing. It's not funny.
- physphd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+36The fact that you're sincerely worried about it, took the time to read the article, and are debating even having kids if you don't think you'll be a good dad are all good indicators. Just make sure to pick a good, good woman. BRB (goes off to find and hug the missus)
What I like about this list is how he conveys just how fun being a good dad is. - CinaMichele, on 10/12/2007, -3/+37basically a list about my dad...
- Jorlwind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+34Heh, this list mirrors my dad. When his first child was born he dropped his drinking and smoking addiction on the same day (For alcoholic or smoker you know how hard it is to quit.)He taught us that there was no such thing as defeat until you give up, he never gave up on my brother as he went through his drug addiction, he loved my mom until the day she freaked and left, leaving him to provide for all three of us by himself. He read "treasure island" with me, went with us to Alaska, and shaped everything about the person I am, and taught me how to live in a way that would allow me to accept my choices. I know that there is a lot of esteem that goes to mom's... But It seems like sometimes we forget that there is a lot more to being a dad then just being an old'time provider. There has to be an incredible will power there.
#13. Chances are your children will grow to be like you. Be a good man, and they will be good from it. - Kakou, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3213. Teach him to always know where his towel is. This can be done at an early stage with a security blanket. There is no more important tool. (Happy Towel Day, May 25th!)
- fenrir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+29"A towel, it says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."
- physphd, on 10/12/2007, -3/+27Awww, man. Now THAT's a compliment! Kudos to your dad.
- H3LLSL337, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23I think singing to your child should be on the list, I know I have a ***** voice, but she likes it (she's only 5 months old) so I do it. Also, kids before pride.
- Y0tsuya, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21@daviddigg
With that attitude, perhaps you should have considered all that before knocking up your wife. - Vega310, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21Wasn't this a Chris Rock bit? "...want credit for ***** they're supposed to do"
- Tankslap, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19Lucky *****.
- Murdats, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19where did he say she was a genius?
all he was saying was he would figure out who she was, and react to that. not do what some people do and follow the "how to raise a child in under 20 years" step by step book - nipuL, on 10/12/2007, -6/+23Was the guy who wrote this Captain Obvious?
- Thepirateking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16As a father I have to agree with much of this list. Spending time with my daughter is easy for me. We read books together, I take her out to do things with me, We surf the internet, sure it's for diego, or dora or whatever she wants to see on youtube or where ever, but she doesn't care, it's doing things with Daddy that he likes. Lots of nights when I'm cooking dinner I hear "Daddy, I help you" and hear a chair being dragged over to where ever I am, because she wants to spend time with me. She will pick things up and carry them just to show me that she's "big and strong like daddy"
I almost cried when I saw her take an old motherboard that I was replacing, along with my tool kit and sit down at the table on my anti-static matt and start fiddling it with my tools saying "I fix daddy's 'puter. I make all better."
I love my little monster and teach her all sorts of things. Ever hear a 2 year old tell you "I a Jug er not" or walk around saying "I'm a dalek, exTERminATE!"? Ever have them laughing because you're doing all the things on their show? Ever have one bring you Treasure island because "I want pirate book again daddy! ARRRRR!"?
Sure my wife and I argue, sometimes even fight, what couple doesn't especially during the lean times where only one person is working and for just above minimum wage (like happend to us a while back), and my daughter has seen us. But we always apologize to her after and tell her that sometimes people get angry at eachother, even if they shouldn't, it happens. We're not perfect, just trying hard to be good parents.
The one thing on that list I have a hard time with is being good to myself. I find it hard to balance me time with everything else in my life. Given the choice between me time and time with my daughter, she wins every time. I need to be pushed to get out and have fun without the kid or the wife from time to time, or have the wife just take the little one out and tell me I'm staying home and am to have fun.
Nothing really to add with this comment I guess, it's mostly bragging about how wonderful my mini-me is, so I should try and add something useful. If you don't have kids, are about to have one, or do have one and don't spend time with them, MAKE TIME FOR YOUR KIDS! They only think Daddy is cool for a little while. Enjoy it. Enjoy every moment they want to spend with you because there will come a time (and all too soon!) when they no longer want to spend time with you. - flernk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16@mrwiggles123
This coming from a man called "Mr. Wiggles 1 2 3." (and, by the way, you're wrong) - Tankslap, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14What little *****? Is *everyone* a "little *****"? Kids deserve to be treated well ya *****. If your dad was a numbskull and you liked it, that's your problem.
- IHaveIssues, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16Mok,
Where's the fun? Where's the hugging? Do you even have kids? Are they robots? - Rocketbird, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14RTFA.
"There is nothing you can do that is better than giving them high self-esteem. How do you do this? A million ways, but mainly by showing them (not telling them) that you value them"
Showing them. Not TELLING them It's not the same thing. - Punisher2K, on 10/12/2007, -5/+17You mean except when it happens to you or someone you know. Funny how people can laugh at anything, anything that doesn't have anything to do with them that is.
- anonydigg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12I love my dad but he did everything wrong.
- topoisomerase, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12well put, but i'd modify your comment to read "many people don't have common sense." a lack of sensibility knows no geographical boundaries...
- chozsun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I already checked. There is no "work your ass off for 24/7 to get your kids the things you never had because there is no question your kids will appreciate it and love you in return" rule.
There is only "spend any amount of time you have with your kids."
I am divorced. However, I am the wealthiest person to ever live based on the sole fact that my ex-wife lets me see my boy anytime I please. I take full advantage of that and see my boy every day except for two weeknights. - sickswaystop, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13heartwarming;
- ptm4261b, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13The problem is that common sense is not common. Especially since we live in the "ME" generation. Is is always about me, me, me, me, me.... The concept of putting others first is a lost concept to most.
- Y0tsuya, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Kids are only special to their parents. Everybody else don't give a flying fvck. Your job is to let your kids know you'll always think they're special, but the world won't. The mistake most parents make is to give their kids the illusion that the world cares about them, thus creating a false sense of entitlement. This will harm them later on in life.
- dkm201, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10*****, you are an idiot. The world does a good enough job telling us we're not *****. That's why we have moms and dads, to tell us we're special even when the world doesn't give a *****.
I pity your children. I bet they'll suck at sports and have ugly spouses - alpinweiss88, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Most of these are common sense... however, one that needs to be highlighted that maybe isn't: don't forget yourself! This applies to your spouse as well. While I understand the concept of "giving up everything for your kids", do NOT lose yourself in the process. Two bad things can happen:
1. If you give up everything for your kids, you could end up losing yourself. You could eventually end up resentful of them! I have seen this many times. Parents (mothers seem to do this more than fathers) will devote 100% of themselves to their kids and lose all of their identity. They end up miserable. I am not saying you shouldn't do whatever it takes, but you have to keep part of your own identity.
2. If you do lose your identity, there is a good chance that your marriage will suffer. Remember, your spouse married YOU. Don't become a completely different person. I think that this happens way too often. Don't lose yourself, and don't lose your relationship with your spouse.
I live for my kids, but I also live for myself and my wife. You don't have to give up one for the other. - jun2san, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8#13. Keep your promises.
- daridave, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Good parenting also means understanding you have to invest a big chunk of your life on your kids.
That's what people seem to forget. They think they're ready to have kids -- mostly because it just sounds like the right thing to do -- but then freak out when they realise they need to stop the "partying" and such.
But as much as it can sound easy, it can be complicated and not the parent's fault. There's always the wildcard, which is the kid's character. If you have the chance of having a kid who understands very early right from wrong, you'll have a good, fun time. But if your kid is a pest, a rebel and constantly tests you, those 12 steps become a real b*tch. I've seen many parents look like role models with one of their kids, while everything seems wrong with their other.
Seriously, there's no real cookbook for being a good parent. Just make sure you're ready to invest yourself in all ways possible, the rest is like everything in life: take it one day at a time, embrace the moments (make sure there's plenty of them) and never take a break from educating your kids (one's too many) and you'll do just fine. :) - Ngai, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12amen
- datastorageguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Good for you. I asked my dad for help in buying a house and he told me he had already spent 100k on a movie theater for his house and couldn't help. List goes on from there..just the most recent example.
- Kourgin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8lol! i get jokes!
- redxii, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Your dad is Dale Gribble?
- lordsandwich, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Where's "don't post-date your child support checks"?
- Gamergizer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Don't worry, you're not alone. But let's just be thankful that we at least have one....
- DangerMouse9, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I don't think Chris Rock said mvtherfvcker, I believe he said Mother *****.
- kidd3ckz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8yeah- i can't walk by a mirror without staring at myself- thanks mom and dad
- meepus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I almost feel too embarrassed to say this but... I envy you.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8
I would call this... "12 common sense points for great family life"
On the other hand he completely missed to mention the importance of watching 5-6 hr of TV a day for normal child development... you know stuff like Sponge Bob on "Nickelodeon" etc..
(Just being a little sarcastic on our society today... don't dig me down :) - TheFederalist, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I support the notion of cutting off the balls of Mr. DangerMouse9 ... as well as several others here.
- csrster, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Tell me about. Yesterday I took my six year old out for her first practice cycle on a real road. It should have been a five minute ride up to the village centre. It ended up a six kilometre trawl through hill and dale to the next village.
That's the last goddamn time I'm going cycling with her! - mpancha, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Sappy as it is, I love these kinds of links/stories now that I'm a father. And happy to say, I already do most of those things (outside of taking the kid out to play ball since he's not capable yet)
- maffiou, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5It's good to remember the simple things, even though thay seem obvious when you read them...
My number 1 is be happy yourself, I can't believe the number of parents that are forgeting this. -
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