Awww....I was going to insert a smartass comment here, but alas, I must agree with the last post...Mine are 12 & 15 now, and will be gone before I know it...So it is a given that I have missed a few rides to go do stuff with them...

 

KC I don't want to break the bubble but you're about to enter the most turbulent time there is between a father and a son. Problem is it spreads to the little one quickly. When my riding pal turned into my riling pal, I had to look for other methods.

Lots of space is a good thing. I just had to get away from it. His problem is he looses his mealticket because he doesn't work with the crews. Not much rope is a good thing. The real world sets in.

Two - two and half later things have changed. We haven't done a bike night here together since we started riding. We did last Thursday. None of his guys showed up with bikes because they are either in jail or running from the cops on warrants. Two of them showed up on foot or in cars but I let it run its course. He described the whole scene as boring and we were back at the shop at 9:30.

He's just starting to get a glimpse of the business that Dad built and he can continue but he must continue the work ethic and enthusiasm as well. Over the last couple years that's been a tough sell. Now he realizes it's not me - it's just business. If you work hard the rewards are yours. Sit on the couch and wait for government to come calling - they will!

You better go to the rally this year and enjoy yourself - next year the 15yo is going to want to ride too. The year after that he will boast about being faster than you and will prove his point - tastefully, technically correct, fast as hell - thank you Dad - you have just been passed! Good luck coach! I know ya got your face in the game!

The most difficult thing for me was stopping worrying about him doing stupid kid **** and moving to an appreciation of how truly gifted he is.

Be reminded that the lumps don't stop here because wifey is the only in habitant of the household that doesn't wear a jock. She's not going to understand all this male bashing that goes on for a couple years. And all of us know how they like living in a "stressful environment." If you do it successfully - this won't be one. It will be like hyper pressure. It will be like living in a pressure cooker for two years - so get her prepared.

It ain't easy but really, dude - this is leader of nations. Any questions?





When you don't have enough lumps from the kids you can come back here and whine

 

I am the King of my Castle, the boys, both boys are in check, they don't take a **** without asking permission (exageration of course)...I am not worried about it, they already think most of the kids at school are loosers, idiots etc...not that they don't think there's doesn't stink or anything, they are just able to see beyond all the crap...They totally get the work ethic, that point has been made over the past few years...My oldest can't wait to get a job, he wants to prove he is worthy, he wants to be able to pay his own way, and feel like a man doing it...I am proud of both of them...I see families all around us having problems with there kids my sons age, I am very thankful that we don't have most of there problems...But it takes being on top of things, on your game 24/7 staying 4 steps ahead of them, letting them know who is boss, and then allowing them to figure things out...A healthy mix of fear and respect goes a long way...No, I am not worried, I have good boys, and I am very proud of them, and they know that I am very proud of them....