Better than your dad?

[Hobie]

With Father's day coming up, it always makes me take stock of my job as dad. If you're a dad, do you think you're better than your old man? My parents got divorced when I was a kid so I have two men I have to measure up to. My real dad is a no-brainer - I learned everything NOT to do from him. The Step dad's a little tougher. He assumed a lot of responsibility that a lot of men wouldn't and I respect him very much for that.

I'm 30 and I haven't really thought of my step-dad much. My father doesn't realize it to this day (he's 63) but he's a jack ass, I love him anyways. He's like a 63 year old child that I have to help guide through life. It's both frustrating and funny at the same time.

Recently after a couple drinks he said something like "I never wanted kids, that's why I never had any." My step-father has been my step-dad since I was 6. Not like he entered into the relationship when I was basically grown or anything. Sure explains a lot though.

I appreciate my step-father helping to feed me and put a roof over my head, but he didn't make much effort to get involved in my life. There is an uncomfortable awkwardness in our relationship to this day.

[Sean88gt]

I try and follow the role my grandfather set. My dad, I'll just say my grandfather would be ashamed.

I tend to follow this. My dad is a great man in his own right by has the wild man tendencies of a middle child. My grandfather was a very devoted father, war hero and the most decent man I've ever know and asked nothing for it. He was what we should all strive to be. I believe that I'm a better father than my dad was because I seek active involvement with my kids whereas my dad didn't always do that.

[1carcrazyguy]

Am I better than my dad...no way. Even though I have no kids and can not really compare. He was working a full time job and a part time job along with fixing, buying, selling cars and car parts to put food on the table. He always made sure we got to race bikes (all over the country), had motorcycles, and went on family trips! Now, even with 2 incomes and no kids....I have a hard time parting with the cash, even to go on a one day trip 100 miles away to race my rc cars. To my dad, as long as we wanted to do something. He made it happen and we never had to worry about the cost. We did not have the very best of everything, but we did not do without, that's for sure! His theory was, if you work, you play! You screw around/mess up..you don't play! We all turned out pretty good!

My parents were the parents that took care of everyones kids. My parents had a van. They picked us up, and probably 10-12 kids, everynight from the skating rink, the movies or where ever we needed to be picked up. I can recall a trip to Las Vegas to race the ABA Grand Nationals where my parents loaded the van with 17 bikes, 17 kids and my mom and dad. First stop to eat and 3 or 4 of the kids said they did not have any money to eat???? My parents footed the bill for them to eat for 4 days. That was just what my parents did. They never complained as long as any kids were having fun and not causing trouble. I don't think I could compare to that. There is no way I could have the patients.........

[Sergio]

I won't ever be half the man my father is. Not even a fair comparison. He wasn't perfect, and I try to be better in certain areas, but overall, no way. He's accomplished so much, grew up in a completely different time, etc.

I feel the exact same way about my father. before even reading the responses my first thought was your first sentence.

[80coupe]

my dads pretty much my best friend been there when i need him or in trouble to call me a dumbass lol.

[Tyrone Biggums]

I tend to follow this. My dad is a great man in his own right by has the wild man tendencies of a middle child. My grandfather was a very devoted father, war hero and the most decent man I've ever know and asked nothing for it. He was what we should all strive to be. I believe that I'm a better father than my dad was because I seek active involvement with my kids whereas my dad didn't always do that.

It's like I'm looking into a mirror.

[ELVIS]

It's like I'm looking into a mirror.

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not
Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With
Me
(Starting With Me!)

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change His
Ways
(Change His Ways-Ooh!)
And No Message Could've
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .)
Change!

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror,
(Man In The Mirror-Oh
Yeah!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make The Change)
(You Gotta Get It Right, While
You Got The Time)
('Cause When You Close Your
Heart)
You Can't Close Your . . .Your
Mind!
(Then You Close Your . . .
Mind!)
That Man, That Man, That
Man, That Man
With That Man In The Mirror
(Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)
That Man, That Man, That Man
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
You Know . . .That Man
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Oh Yeah!)
Gonna Feel Real Good Now!
Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Ooooh . . .)
Oh No, No No . . .
I'm Gonna Make A Change
It's Gonna Feel Real Good!
Come On!
(Change . . .)
Just Lift Yourself
You Know
You've Got To Stop It.
Yourself!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
I've Got To Make That Change,
Today!
Hoo!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Got To
You Got To Not Let Yourself . . .
Brother . . .
Hoo!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
You Know-I've Got To Get
That Man, That Man . . .
(Man In The Mirror)
You've Got To
You've Got To Move! Come
On! Come On!
You Got To . . .
Stand Up! Stand Up!
Stand Up!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Stand Up And Lift
Yourself, Now!
(Man In The Mirror)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Aaow!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .
Come On!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know . . .
(Change . . .)
Make That Change.

god bless.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa.

[dsrtuckteezy]

i'm not a father, and never will be, but my dad is awesome. I feel bad for always giving him a hard time as a kid...

[idrivea4banger]

Never knew who my real father was. I've been raised by my stepdad since I was 4. Ive always considered him as my dad, always called him dad. He was strict and always had us help him out with everything. He raised me with the idea of "you don't earn anything in life without putting in the work." One thing for sure is that I am a better father than the man who abandoned me at 4. I have a lot of respect for my old man and try to follow in his steps.

[sc281]

My Dad was never really in the picture. I learned everyth8ing I know about being a Man from my Grandpa. He is ten times a better man than I could ever hope to be

As far as I'm concerned, he is my Father; and I couldn't ask for a better one.

[BP]

I couldn't ever come close.

[mardyn]

My Dad was a great man... and I miss him everyday.

mardyn

[Blame Canada]

If I try do do half of what my dad did for me as a kid for my kids, I will be a pretty good dad. To this day he is a big part of my life and always will be.

[Roscoe]

I try to be as good as my father was to me. In some areas I think I may have a slight edge, but it isn't a comparison.

<-- dad was best man at my wedding.