Things I learned from my Dad part 3

By Doug Franklin June 10, 2009

When I was getting ready to start high school, my Dad asked me to come sit with him in the living room. This was the room my brother and I were not allowed in, so I knew it was serious. My Dad began informing me of the rules concerning my behavior and how our relationship would work while I was in high school.  It was simple, he was going to trust me and I was going to trust him – this would be the only rule. If I broke his trust, there were going to be lots of new rules. If he broke my trust, he knew I would not likely listen to him. At first, I thought it might be a joke, but then I realized he was serious.

And so, I never had rules in high school – while other students had to be in by a certain time or could not go certain places, I could. Only one time in high school did my father say anything to me about behavior…I came in real late one night and he said, “I don’t know what you can do after midnight that is profitable.” I got the feeling I should be in around mid-night.

My high school experience was great because my dad decided to teach me about trust instead of trying to control me.  And I can honestly say I didn’t do anything to abuse his trust, it was way too valuable to me.