Better Dads Better Kids

The worst thing that you can do for the ones you love are the things they could and should do for themselves. I think Abraham Lincoln said that first, but I've used it so much over the years that the saying has become a part of me. I 've used it a lot because I deeply believe it.

I'm convinced we do too much for others, and I think it has hurt our nation. I know it has hurt our society and our families. When you do too much, neither countries more people appreciate it. If people are hungry, give them a fish. But after they have eaten, teach them how to fish. Don't keep giving them fish. That makes them depended on you for their food. It's never good to take away anyone's independence.

I coach my players not to expect timeouts during games, and I didn't want them looking over at the bench for directions. Once the game started, I didn't want them to need me.

Coaches tend to do too much for their players. It's the same thing with our children. We tend to spoil them by overindulging. You're loving, but it's not helping. It's actually hurting. They become dependent. You want to guide, direct and help all you can, but you don't want to take away their independence.

I didn't have too much in the way of material things to give my children. So having too much wasn't that much of a problem. But I didn't want them to end up being dependent on others, systems or programs either. The only dependence I wanted my love ones to have was dependence on God, and I wanted them to have Jesus in their hearts.

taken from Coach Wooden One on One Devotional