Question for you dads

I live with: my aunt, grandma, and 6 year old cousin. He does not know his dad, never seen him, so in a way I am like his dad. (I am his cousin by blood)

Can you please give some advice as too what I can do to help teach him about life? What should I spend time doing with him? Thanks for any help.

take him out to the park, or find out what he likes to do,

See what he's into and pursue towards his interests.
If you have good morals you can probably wing it from there.
Depends how much time you want to invest into this

Play sports.
Build things.
Fix things.

Read and Discuss information.
Talk about all kinds of stuff.

Going fishing or camping are good, if you can afford it.

Just share everything that makes you enjoy life, and try to take part in and enjoy the things that the kid likes.

Thanks for the advice so far. He likes watching wwe, video games, and sometimes sports. He is getting a bit chubby though so I think sports is the better option.

How old is the little guy?
Have you considered signing him up for ATS? Definetly good life lessons here haha

both of you should go do aikido or karate together.
the discipline of martial arts is something that stays with you for life.
give him a solid foundation in body movement and mental discipline.

you join in too because it will give you a connection to him that no one else can touch.
and make sure you pick a traditional dojo, as modern generations arent as good at the internal stuff.

and if you both do that for a year look to add a new art to it. like bujinkan taijutsu, or iai-do.

start him on a path that will strengthen his life.

Originally posted by okamitengu
both of you should go do aikido or karate together.
the discipline of martial arts is something that stays with you for life.
give him a solid foundation in body movement and mental discipline.

you join in too because it will give you a connection to him that no one else can touch.
and make sure you pick a traditional dojo, as modern generations arent as good at the internal stuff.

and if you both do that for a year look to add a new art to it. like bujinkan taijutsu, or iai-do.

start him on a path that will strengthen his life.

Very very good suggestion.
I plan on signing up with my kid as soon as he is old enough

I had trained for years in mulple arts, and look forward to him having the experience.

Teach him about the Rothschild Zionists then show him how to make a hat using nothing but aluminum foil. You can also fold a $20 bill to show him an airplane flying into the twin towers, kids love magic. Then tell him how dangerous the vaccines are that he has to take for school and how the government's trying to poison him with fluoride - you can show him the warning on the back of the toothpaste to make this one set in. For some good fraternal bonding you can always rent some X-files videos and talk about how hot you think Gillian Anderson is.

Just like most of the other ATSers are saying, spend time with him. That's the most important thing you can do is be his friend while showing him the finer things in life. Children are very impressionable so if you want him to do something you have to lead by example. You will learn just as much from him as he will from you. Like patience.

Ok, I'm not a Dad, but I had to come and say how sweet of you to be looking out for the little guy. Good luck to you. Hugs!

First off, my hat is off to you for you trying to be a male role model. More power to you.

camping
sports, just go outside and toss a football or kick a soccer ball around
like muzzle said: build or fix things
just wrestle with him. They LOVE horseplay at this age.And that sort of physical interaction helps their self esteem and self confidence, make sure you let him win time to time.
It really doesn't matter what you do, its the interaction that is important.

reply to post by ReadyPower


Hi Bud So you got a kid that needs raisin up, huh-- good on you

Now you should make sure to spend a good amount of time outdoors showin the boy how to be a man: knot tying, camping, trapping. You should always use every chance you have to teach the boy gun safety. Maybe take him squirrel hunting and after he gets used to killing and skinning that you can move on to bigger game

Whatever ya do teach him what it means to be a tough guy-- say "Nobuddies pushin around a boy of mine!' and teach him how to tell some loser how to "Beat it, chump before ya get yer rear kicked!'. Remember fighting is very important no matter what anybuddy might say.

Good luck and you can private message me if ya gots any more questions

Ronnie "TOUGH GUY' Williams

Originally posted by inchworm
reply to post by ReadyPower

 

Hi Bud

So you got a kid that needs raisin up, huh-- good on you

Now you should make sure to spend a good amount of time outdoors showin the boy how to be a man: knot tying, camping, trapping. You should always use every chance you have to teach the boy gun safety. Maybe take him squirrel hunting and after he gets used to killing and skinning that you can move on to bigger game

Whatever ya do teach him what it means to be a tough guy-- say "Nobuddies pushin around a boy of mine!' and teach him how to tell some loser how to "Beat it, chump before ya get yer rear kicked!'. Remember fighting is very important no matter what anybuddy might say.

Good luck and you can private message me if ya gots any more questions

Ronnie "TOUGH GUY' Williams

Ronnie- i am a city raised kid.. I do not know know much about camping, or hunting, trapping or guns. my only experiance in being 'tough' is i am a pretty solid amateur wrestler, so I try to teach him some stuff every day but it is difficult due to the body size difference.

we recently moved from cali to oklahoma, so I think the advice you gave would work a lot better here.

ps- i am not very 'good' at ats and tried to add you but could not.

Originally posted by nixie_nox
First off, my hat is off to you for you trying to be a male role model. More power to you.

camping
sports, just go outside and toss a football or kick a soccer ball around
like muzzle said: build or fix things
just wrestle with him. They LOVE horseplay at this age.And that sort of physical interaction helps their self esteem and self confidence, make sure you let him win time to time.
It really doesn't matter what you do, its the interaction that is important.

i try to teach him amateur and pro wrestling.. it is a thin line.. I dont want to say that the wwe he watches is fake, because as a child myself it was kind of magical.
So I mix it up, I show him amateur moves like a single or whatever, then a wwe move like a bodyslam. his "finisher" is john cenas knuckle shuffle.. he usually 'wins' but I do on ocassion, too. thanks for the advice. sometimes he loves to play wrestle other times he just does not want too

Be there for him, take time to answer his silly question that way when he gets older he will know he can come to you for the bigger qeustions, if you turn him away on the silly one he will think you don't care. I have stayed home with my two little ones for the last three years and feel a great bond with them. btw both are adopted. Also find ways to include them in your interests this way they know the world does not alwasy revolve around them but they are imortant enough to be included in your life. Kids are resilient dont underestimate them or their understanding. Don't ever lie to them that's how they learn to lie.

Just my thoughts on the subject take it or leave it is up to you.

reply to post by ReadyPower

Coming from someone that didn't know their dad or mom, all I can say is when the time comes be there for him.

When it comes down to it ask him what he wants to do and do your best to show him the right direction to take. As for growing up and being a man well I cant help you there I had to figure that part out by myself.

And when it comes to the birds and bees don't I repeat DONT send him to Inchworms Dating School
Sorry bud couldn't help it

As suits his age, start giving him chores. This will teach him responsibility. For instance, maybe a small pet and let him feed/water the pet... take care of it.

Give him chores worthy ohf his age...say set the table, take out the trash...and have him earn his allowance. Along with responsibilty, it will teach him a work ethic and the value of money.

Give him freedoms and independence and privacy in increments and let him succeed and fail... and when he succeeds, reward him and teach humility. When he fails... don't sugar-coat the dissappointment, but use it as a learning experience.

Get him to help you whenever possible...you will be the example...they soak up so very much when young. Something as simple as grocery shopping or buying shoes. Shows them the benefits of a budget, the proper way to greet others and interact in society, things to look for when determining value. Or let him help change the oil in your car, or maybe paint the porch.

Reward a morning of chores with an afternoon of fun...maybe let him choose the main course of a cookout, followed by some ball or frisbee or maybe a trip to a minor league game or a movie.

Always be fair but firm in morals and ethics... never stray from consequences of bad decisions...this wouldn't be fair to him when he gets older.

Always be honest, open, and if you can't share info or simply don't know...simply say so.

Teach him cleanliness and pride in himself and who he is... and that right or wrong the world judges on first impressions. But, if he is willing to accept their reactions and ignore their judgements...he can be...can look...and can live however he wants when he is an adult.

Let him be a child while he can..it is a magical time...so yes to Santa Claus, tooth fairy, monsters and goblins... ghost stories on long summer nights, chasing fireflies, and homemade milkshakes... or late night suprise trips to Krispy Kreme Donuts.

Most of all...share life, be honest, be an example, let him know that life is good, but does have it's ups and downs. Loved ones sometimes die...that sometimes we fail...but overall, life is a wonderful adventure. Teach him to believe in himself... that yes, he can acheive almost anything he desires.

Originally posted by okamitengu
both of you should go do aikido or karate together.
the discipline of martial arts is something that stays with you for life.
give him a solid foundation in body movement and mental discipline.

you join in too because it will give you a connection to him that no one else can touch.
and make sure you pick a traditional dojo, as modern generations arent as good at the internal stuff.

and if you both do that for a year look to add a new art to it. like bujinkan taijutsu, or iai-do.

start him on a path that will strengthen his life.

Fantastic suggestion. I know that my dad has always done things like this with my younger brother. They went to judo and jujutsu lessons together, and dad taught my brother how to box and other self-defence techniques as well. They also go camping quite often.

I'm a chick so my dad interacted with me a little differently, but with me and both of my siblings he would always encourage wonderment and imagination as well, and he would always make us laugh somehow.

I think it is most important to be around him and readily offer advice and knowledge about anything and everything. Think of fun things to do with him.

Some excellent suggestions here...the common theme is "spend time with him" because that's what kids really, really want the most from dad. And don't be afraid to listen to him; too many people expect their kids to listen to them, but never listen themselves.

As others above have mentioned, children learn by example so show him a good example. Don't try to be something you're not in order to impress him; be yourself. Don't talk down to him; show him respect and he'll give it back to you in droves.

I salute you for taking this on!