Do you remember the old commercial with the line “Zach, Zach….he’s a Lego maniac . . .”? Well, my son’s name is Zach and I periodically call him the Lego maniac. However, that Lego maniac turned 16 back in June, and he is no longer into Legos. Now, conscious or not, he is really into impressing the hell out of his Dad.
His most recent development: He started working at his first paying job today. And, his first job has career potential. He is now working at Menards. His position is “Carry-out.” But, he has shown such great responsibility over the years, I have no doubt that he will be a success.
This boy is truly amazing. I have not been, and never will be, the kind of Dad that is always up his ass. I do my best to explain the importance of things, I try to give him the appropriate amount of motivation, and then I let him learn things on his own. He has faltered a few times, but we all have. And, for the most part, I am exceptionally proud of my son.
For example, when it came to his education, I explained the importance of it. Hell, he watched as I went through college, so he lived it and watched my own transformation. He barely made it threw grade and middle school. In high school, he started playing football. Because the bar was so low, he made it threw his freshman year just enough to be able to stay on the team, but his grades were nothing to write home about.
After the first season was over, he talked about wanting to get a football scholarship to pay for college. So, I showed him the NCAA rules regarding grade point averages for sports scholarships. He is now a junior and doing really well in school. Once he got the motivation to try harder, he applied himself.
I have told him his whole life that I will not ever buy his car. If he wants a car, he needs to get a job to buy one and pay for his insurance. Well, I am a bit afraid that his controlling girlfriend could possibly hurt is job by “making him” miss work, calling in, or whatever. So, I kind of imposed the same strategy. I told him that if he does well, works hard, saves money, and doesn’t allow his girlfriend to control his employment, I will in fact, help him with his first car. Knowing my incredible son, I am sure that will motivate him in the direction that best suits him and his future.
I am one, very, very proud Pappa.
