A good role model

Many celebrities make the news for all the wrong reasons. Alcohol, drugs, sex, you name it. Entertainment, sports and political figures get their names in print and over the air for their bad acts.

And unfortunately, our kids are watching. These "heroes" get attention and youngsters may think it's OK to act that way.

So it's refreshing to read about a NFL star who is in the news for doing good off of the football field. His name is Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has had an impeccable career. He has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl MVP award and leads the Steelers in most all-time receiving categories. He should be a strong candidate to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after he retires.

He is a football hero on the field, but it's what he is doing off the field that gets my admiration. Ward has been named to President Barack Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The panel works to advise the president on ways to improve the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Ward was born in Korea, the child of a black American father and an Asian mother, and has seen the discrimination that results when youngsters are biracial. To that end, he started the Hines Ward Hands Foundation to help such children. He used $1 million of his own money to launch the foundation.

Each off season he returns to Korea to advise biracial children and brings kids to the U.S. to get a taste of life in America.

Hines Ward is is fine example of the good celebrities can do. Unfortunately, many don't. If your kids are looking for a true sports hero, they need not look any further than Hines Ward.

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Being a dad is an awesome responsibility

I love being a dad. It comes with much responsibility, but if done right, the rewards are even greater.

As parents, we really have only a small window of time to help our kids grow to be good, productive adults. After that, we have to sit back and see if our lessons have taken hold.

The best way to lead your children into adulthood is to be involved in their lives each step of the way; from the time they come home as infants to the day they graduate from college. Teach them that life is full of twists and turns, that even in down times to stay positive, that with hard work, things will turn around.

Volunteer in the groups they are in, whether it be Scouts, sports, music, theater, or something else.

When my two older kids were in preschool, I volunteered to help out. When Erin played softball in grade school, I was one of the coaches. Likewise for Justin, I helped coach his baseball team in first grade, and later, when in fourth grade, I was the head coach. And I was the head coach of his soccer team from first through sixth grade. I didn't know anything about soccer, but I learned quickly.

How many times did I drive Erin the dance classes and Justin to piano lessons? I can't count that high.

And now with Katie, who is still a toddler, I will do the same. I will be there every step of the way. I describe myself as a hands-on dad. If you are going to be a good parent, that's the only way to be.

Kids are all different

Hi, and thanks for logging on to my blog. In my blog I will be telling stories about my three kids. They are all great, but oh so different. Here is a little bit about them.


Erin is a freshman in college. I love her to pieces, but we have never been able to talk. Or rather, she will not talk. I ask questions, and she answers, but usually in one-word answers. It's like she's paying by the word. The more words in the answer, the more she owes.


"How was your day?" I would ask. Of course the answer would be "good". "And what was good about it?" And her answer: "I don't know."


She has always gotten good grade, so I can't complain too much. And she hangs out with good kids.

For every word that Erin utters, Justin says 1,000. You can't keep him quiet. He's a high school junior and has always had something to say. I remember when he was in grade school. Me: "How was your day at school." Justin: I first came in a hung up my coat. Then I sat down at my desk and got out my books."

Well you get the picture. Twenty minutes later he would come up for air, finished describing his day.

Katie may be taking after Justin, but it's too early to tell. She's 16-months old and talking up a storm. The only problem is my wife and I can't understand a word she's say. But give her time. I hope she is somewhere in the middle, talking more than Erin, but maybe not quite as much as Justin.

We have been blessed with three great kids. I know many of you dads will be able to relate.