Fatherhood By Example

As a parent, one tries to lead by example.  There are some things you can tell your kids, but there are many things you do and hope they learn by watching what you do and who you are.  I want my girls to see and learn from the work Jill and I do, our commitment to the community, our values, and our experiences. 

Case in point:
My dad's in town, and we went to out for Chinese food with Kaileigh and my aunt Randy and uncle John. 

Short side story not related to case in point:
Old Chinese waiter dude was flirting with my daughter.  In front of her dad, her grandfather, her aunt, and her uncle.  Dude, I've read your fortune, and it says I'm going to kick your ass (and has your lucky lottery numbers on the back).

Back to case in point:
In the course of our dinner discussions, Kaileigh told me that she finally understands a lesson I tried to teach her years ago.  She recently visited Dave & Buster's and played the games like we used to together.  I would take her there and we would spend a few hours (and about $40 each time) playing little arcade games, collecting tickets.  Our favorite was always Pop-A-Ball ("Don't walk by!  Give it a Try!" - that was for Kaileigh).

At the end of the visit we would take the tickets and trade them in for small stuffed animals, bouncy balls, and other worthless crap.  Eventually, we started saving the points to use for something bigger, like a medium sized stuffed animal, or one that wasn't just "some new materials."  After six or seven visits, we decided to finally cash in for prizes.  Kaileigh got her medium-sized, mostly new materials Scooby Doo, 2-3 bouncy balls, and other random cheap crap she wanted.  We still had 10,000 or so points left over.  With all of her cheap crap needs fulfilled, I used the remaining points for a Dave & Buster's toaster.  I needed a toaster.  Even one that branded a "D&B" on each piece of toast.

Kaileigh gave me grief about that toaster for years.  No matter that she got a full dose of toys and bric-a-brac.  Or that she enjoyed toast from that toaster for the seven plus years I had that toaster (until it caught on fire, but it lived a good, long toaster life).  Or that the cheap, Dave & Buster's toaster ultimately cost approximately $317.

So tonight, Kaileigh tells me that she took her points and traded them in for a coffee maker.  She turns to me and says:
"Dad, I now understand the lure of getter small appliances at Dave & Buster's with accumulated points."

And really, after being kind to people and acting with integrity, what better lesson can a father hope his daughter will learn?