In a time when good fathering has become a precious commodity, it's gratifying to know that some dads get it right.
Raising Hell: Rearing your kids without core values or honorable expectations.
Raising Them Well: Passing down positive values from generation to generation.
A parent friend of mine Nile Gossett, shared with me his brand of fathering. His father passed down a code of conduct and core values that affirmed their roles as positive black men. Now Nile passes those same values on to his young son. Nile tells him, "Gossett men treat women with respect" and "Gossett men finish what they start". Soon these truths will become ingrained in his son's character.
My husband agreed the idea of passing down a formal set of Hughes Men Core Values could become a meaningful family tradition. So we asked his father, my youngest son and my oldest, who has two sons of his own, to come up with specific affirmations that speak to the true character of Hughes men. I think that if fathers, mothers or families in general, were to establish specific core values to live by and pass down to the next generation, we would have more positive outcomes.
Here is what the Hughes Men came up with. (I'm going to frame these values and give them to family members as Christmas gifts)
HUGHES MEN CORE VALUES
Hughes Men are Godly
We serve in the church and out of it by spreading His creed through our words and deeds
Hughes Men are Honorable
We act with honesty, integrity and truth
Hughes Men are Confident
We know who we are, no brag just fact
Hughes Men Don’t Give Up
We press toward the mark and finish what we start
Hughes Men are Creative
We think differently and change the world
Hughes Men Finish School
We do our best to be a success
Hughes Men have a Good Work Ethic
We follow up and follow through
Hughes Men are Self-Sufficient
We cook, clean and take care of our business
Hughes Men Fear Not
We are of good courage and don’t let Darkness defeat us
Hughes Men are Athletic
We exercise our muscles and our minds
Hughes Men Live Clean
Healthy “eats”, good sleep, no drugs mean NO SCRUBBS!
Hughes Men Have a Sense of Humor
We’d rather tell a joke than become one
Hughes Men Uphold Family
From father to brother, we stay connected to each other
Hughes Men Don’t Lose Control
If we do, we lose our power
Hughes Men Live with an Attitude of Gratitude
Giving thanks and giving back ensures we live more abundantly
What are your core values?
Type your email address in the box and click the "create subscription" button. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.
Filed under: Family, Fatherhood, multicultural, parenting, Uncategorized, urban
Tags: African American fathers, black dads, core values, family values, Fatherhood, Fathers, Martin Luther King's family, parenting tips
