During this holiday month of December, I have spent a lot of time substitute teaching at the Alternative High School in my town. An alternative high school is a school for kids who either don’t succeed at the regular high school or just do much better in a smaller, more personal environment, for whatever reason.
During this time I have been teaching two classes- Geography and Men’s Issues.
Yes, you read that right, Men’s Issues.
As a 22 year old female, you can imagine that I don’t have so much clout with a group of teenage boys. Most days they drive me crazy. Every day they teach me something.
Overall this is a big lesson that I have learned-
I love my dad.
Yes, I have always loved my dad, but now I love him more.
Because I taught Men’s Issues, I got a secret insight into the life of teenage boys and their views on relationships with their fathers. I saw correlations between the behavior of kids and the role of fathers – correlations I've read about in statistics, but I never witnessed firsthand in such a personal way.
Because of privacy reasons I can’t tell people the exact situations that really influenced me, but I can tell you the results.
I really really love my dad. More than ever before.
My dad taught me the importance of education. He taught me by encouraging me in school and also by getting a Ph.D. himself. I was always a good student, but it wasn’t like I woke up every morning and said “Yippeee!!! I get to go to school today!!” No matter what my attitude, my parents instilled in me that you do your homework, get good grades, and actually learn in school. I never heard anyone say “stay in school” because it was never an option to drop out. That thought never crossed my mind. My parents also told me to “finish my homework.” They never really told me to DO my homework, because not doing it would never cross my mind either.
I took the bus to school, but if I needed to go early or stay late or if I forgot a book in my locker, my dad (or mom) would take me to school. It was a reality check for me that not every parent would do that. I took advantage of that, and now I’m grateful.
I used to get upset at my dad for getting mad at teachers or administrators for whatever reason. Sometimes he felt that I had been wronged or a situation in school hadn’t been handled properly. I would get so embarrassed, but now I’m so thankful that my dad would take the time and energy to do that. It meant he actually cared. He would stick up for me, and I've recently learned some parents don't even respond to contact from the school.
I remember one time I got in trouble in 6th grade because a teacher thought I hit a kid when really that kid spit an eraser at me. I’m glad I wasn’t that teacher when my dad found out.
My dad has taught me so many other things too- finish what you start, care about other people, care about strangers, don’t waste things, don’t sleep too much (still working on that one!) support people by being there even when you don’t want to (middle school band concert anyone?) and always tell your family you love them.
He has made many mistakes, this is true. But he’s done a really good job compared to a lot of dads, and I always have my Heavenly Father to pick of any of the slack.
I love you, Dad.
"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!"
~ Hebrews 12:9
