Jim Martin Sr.
I have always heard that Parents raise their children very much the same way that they were raised. After all, what other training have we Parents had except for our memories of how our own Parents handled us ? If I can be half the Parent my Dad was, my Children's future will be enhanced.
When I was about 7 years old, my Dad started teaching me to compete in fun games and he would always win. Then,with a wry smile, he would say, "I'm the Champ" ! Dad was a great athlete and I knew that so for the next 32 years, I always called him Champ instead of Dad. He had a way of getting respect without demanding it. I can remember watching baseball on Television and hearing him tell me that one day I would be out there. Champ was always painting that future for me and it excited me to see that "twinkle" in his eye when he said it.
There were always times when I saw how he cared. When I was about 12 years old, we had an accident on Main Street and in exchanging insurance information, he asked the young boy what he did for a living. The boy told him he was a college student and my Dad immediately said not to worry about it--that he would pay for his own damage(even though it was the young boy's fault). I can remember getting in the car and telling Dad how proud I was of him ! I saw many reasons to respect him because he showed me love and respect. In all my years of Sports, he always respected my Coaches for their decisions. He never said one negative thing about coaches to me. My High School Coach once paid my Dad a high compliment. He told me that my Dad never put him on the spot. Just one more reason to be proud of the Champ !
After every home game, we would go to the kitchen for our peanut butter and graham crackers and rehash the game. Not once did he ever say anything negative if I had a bad game. He always let me know that nobody bats a 1,000 and my next game would be better. He wanted me to learn from my mistakes and move on to my next task. I longed for these after game talks --win or lose. I can still remember those proud looks on his face when he wanted me to know how great a feeling it was to be a Dad !
Parents are always frustrated about disciplining their Children. Champ would tell me to be home at 11:00 PM, and when I would get home at 11:20 PM, he would know. I had to walk through my Parents room since the dining room door squeaked too much. Never could oil that squeak. I would almost get through and my Dad would roll over and ask what time it was? I would say 11:20 and he would say ,"I thought I told you to be home by 11:00" ? He would then say "Good night" and I would lay awake for an hour because I had let him down. Total respect without the Champ demanding it.
My Dad passed away in 1986 and I miss him terribly 24 years later. It is so important now for Parents to realize what a great impact, good or bad, that they have on their Children. It is time for Parents to spend more time with their Children / understand the problems they face and give them guidance. We as Parents must wake up and understand that Schools,Churches and Law Enforcement are not able to teach our Children discipline and high morals by themselves. Parents have to rise up now and take responsibility more than ever before.
By Jim Martin Jr.
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