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Blog Entry 310 of 316 Father Knows... Something. Let's figure out what.

This is my outlet to share with the world all the things I've learned - and continue to learn - about being the Father to 3 young children. But I should warn you that my experience is probably NOT yours: my wife and I are in the process of adopting a sibling set of 3 - all 6 years old and younger - while in our 40's. We've heard that, "it keeps you young," but so far, it has mostly kept us tired... But like any parent, our kids teach us something new every day and I hope to share at least something here with you at that same pace. The entries will be short - time constraints will probably keep it at or around a mere 200 words - but as they say, brevity is the soul of wit. Let's hope I can create some brevity here. So if you read something you like, please leave a comment. If you read something you don't, please just leave. (Just kidding - I'd love to hear from critics as well.)

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Fatherknows

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Some simple and - IMHO - important advice

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Contributed by: Chris Stone on 4/13/2008

We're currently experiencing some rather drastic health issues around here. Fortunately, it's nobody within these walls; but it affects everyone here. It is from this perspective that I offer some advice...

You "adult children" out there whose parents are still alive, try this: Interview your parents. Please. For your sake and for your children's sake. Trust me - they aren't as boring as you think they are (or at least they haven't always been). And you parents out there with children in their twenties or thirties, ask them to interview you.

I would recommend that the questions stay within the boundaries of good taste (although that shouldn't be TOO much of a problem), and start with general information that could lead to deeper levels of questioning. Things like:

- What was your first job? Your strangest job? The grossest? The job you held for the shortest time? The longest time? Have you ever been fired and why?

- Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? How did you meet? Where did you meet Mom/Dad? Were you married before (you might be surprised)?

- What was your first car? How old were you when you got it?

- Did you have any hobbies as a child? How did you spend your summers? What did you want to be "when you grew up?" What was your best subject in school? Your worst?

- As a teenager, did you have any run-ins with the law? How serious? Did you ever see the inside of a jail cell (the older the child, the more likely an honest answer)?

- As a child, what was your most prized possession? Do you still have it? Do you know what happened to it?

- If you could go back and whisper into your own ear when you were the age I am now, what would you say?

This is just an outline, but I think it's a fairly good one. At least in the sense that it could open up lines of communication while providing more complete and accurate knowledge about someone you think you already know. Plus - let's face it - they grew up in more interesting times.

I was going to suggest that the interviewer come with a list of one question for each year of the interviewee's life, but I think that a carefully chosen 20 questions will lead to many times that number. Remember to keep careful notes and to save multiple copies of them.

My only other piece of advice is to do it today; you may or may not have a tomorrow to indulge you...

Chris Stone is a slightly different - hopefully better - father and man than he was yesterday...

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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

Submitted By: Chris Stone

posted on 4/23/2008 @ 10:02:25 PM

(Not Rated)

Oh, I don't think you've lived until you've seen your Mother's arrest record pinned to your adoptive kids' county folder - on the short side. (FWIW, my Mother was never in any real trouble and was always the greatest, EVER! ALWAYS! It's a great story that she loves to share. I'm just dying to hear the others...) Thank you.

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Submitted By: Karin Malchow

posted on 4/20/2008 @ 2:14:36 PM

Rated Blog Entry

My dad is a Big Fish Story guy, but I tell my kids the fibs tell a kind of truth; just don't quote him.

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Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 4/20/2008 @ 7:14:58 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Getting to know your parents in a different way is very rewarding. I wish I had more time with my dad, but mom sure has some dandies!

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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Chris Stone

Arvada , CO

Chris Stone has posted 316 blog entries and 127 comments since joining on 7/6/2006. Chris Stone 's average blog rating is 5.

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