[ReaganCowboy]

As I have recently had a son drop out of college, go through drug rehab and then move out of my house because he couldn't live under my authority anymore, I say I'd want to have my child tell me that he appreciated my sacrifice as a father and that he respected my responsibilities to love, instruct, admonish, encourage and to discipline him.

He'd be the prodigal son, if only I'd give him an inheritance to squander.

A simple thank you will suffice; a heart-felt question-and-answer period on 'how is it like to be a father?' would be priceless. No one wants to learn how to be a father from their father, until after they've left their father's house.

My father-in-law once joked, as my first three children toddled around his yard "kids, the screwing you get for the screwing you got." I always laughed reflecting back on that, until this year. Now I wait for the day when my son will reconcile himself to God and to his mother and I.

If you can, have your children express in writing their love to their father, even if it's a simple emailed "I love you." The only communication I have from that oldest son is painful (but necessary) to hold on to; I long for the day when I can blot out his hateful words with words of respect, if not words of love or admiration.

Encourage your children to talk, and to listen, to their father's instruction.

[sandlady]

Tears, Reagan Cowboy. My eldest, also a son, is entering a difficult stage, I fear. I will encourage him to express his love for his dad, and his gratefulness. You're in my thoughts.

[coder2]

Encourage your children to talk, and to listen, to their father's instruction

Great advice, and very similar to what I tell my kids (15 & 17).

I would give anything just to hear my Dad's voice one more time (he passed on 6 years ago).

To me, the greatest gift you can give a father is to be the best person you can be. Ok, that said, hubby got a new trap gun for this Father's Day (just had to have it early though, 'cuz leagues start in May).