What fatherhood means to Merlin Knight [01:10]
A supporter, a champion, a giver, and a lover. All these things combine to make a father who he is.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What puts you in the fatherhood category? [02:05]
Merlin has a son, who is now an adult. (22 years old), now in the army. He says as that one child came about, it was all about making sure he would get all he needed from sun up to sun down.
What is it like being in a house with 12 siblings? [02:45]
Merlin says it’s confusing. “When you are youngest, you always try to figure out where do you fit? How do you fit?
What types of things do you think about at night for a son that’s going to the military? [05:12]
Although he wanted his son to follow his path of straight to college, he let his son do what he wanted by joining the military. He’s now comfortable where he wants to be.
Uncle Sam means different things to different people. What does he mean to you? [08:32]
“He’s never been my uncle. My thing was always to allow him (son) to think for himself while understanding there are rules and regulations in my home.”
Why it’s important to allow your kids to be them. [09:35]
If you don’t allow them to be themselves, you stifle them and you stifle the potential that they have. You want to give them and show them opportunities.
Some disadvantages of using parenting styles that stifle your kids of opportunities. [11:15]
They will grow without values. There’s also really not enough time to retain them as they turn adults.
How could you get these out of what he/she needs to learn? [13:56]
You can’t do it all at one time. You have to be vigilant and persistent. Because being present doesn’t mean anything. They see you but they don’t see any action.
Making your home a sanctuary for your kids [17:20]
When you come home, you want to be able to release the world out there. They could be bullied at school. But when they come home, it’s going to be a peaceful place full of love.
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