I was talking to another guy a couple days ago discussing difficult topics. Many times as a dad I wanted to dismiss myself from certain conversations.
On a trip to Destin, Florida, several years ago with my wife and two daughters I found myself confronted with real life teenage questions. As my oldest daughter and I walked the beach late one afternoon, the inevitable boy conversation rolled around.
Wow, I was not prepared nor interested in going down this path. Thankfully, most of the topics were easy and non threatening. However, the timing was right to go down a road that is a dad's worst nightmare: dating.
My daughter was in her early teens and the unavoidable sex talk had happened years earlier. As we covered many miles during that conversation I had to make a decision as to the level I would allow this conversation to go. The more we talked the more compelled I was to be blatantly honest with her.
As I thought about young teenage boys taking my daughter out, the more honest I was willing to be. As her dad I was the only male in her life that would tell her the absolute truth:
I, as you, want the best for my children
Sometimes the truth is tough and most of the time it's not a very fun conversation to have.
As her dad, I was very sensitive to her questions
And as a normal parent, I wanted to make her aware without making her cynical.
Often times we take for granted what people should know. I have found in coaching that I should never assume anything, especially with teenage children.
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