Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to wish all dad's out there a Happy Father's Day!
As I ponder my own effectiveness as a dad and the job I am doing with my own kids I think I am doing a pretty good job. Both of my kids are doing well in school, are polite without having to be reminded to say please and thank-you, and for the most part agreeable with decisions that are made in the house. Both kids are healthy, active and happy (spoiled a bit too)
I have three pieces of advice for all dads
1. Don't assume your kids know what they are supposed to do! Kids need to be taught and they are taught mostly through watching the role models in their lives. If you want healthy active kids, you need to be healthy and active. If you want kids that value school and learning, read to them, attend classes and further your education. If you want politeness you need to use please and thank-you, hold doors open for other people, and act appropriately when you are upset or angry at your spouse, co-worker, fellow commuter, or your own children. You need to moniter what they are watching on TV since positive, responsible citizenship is not always portrayed appropriately on Family Guy and Simpsons.
2. You will make mistakes! Mistakes are part of life - you are going to make them, your kids are going to make them so don't panic. If your kids make an mistake, again do not expect them to know the difference and take time to teach them why it is wrong. If they repeat thier mistake then you need to re-teach the lesson and possibly have a consequence attached that was agreed upon the last time they did it. Kids lives are full of making mistakes, it is our jobs as dads to assist in thier learing and help them grow and not treat them as failures.
If you make a mistake - we need to acknowledge that we have made a mistake and say SORRY. This type of role modeling goes a long ways in showing kids they are responsible for thier actions. Dad saying sorry to his kids for a mistake is a powerful learning tool (so is dad shedding a tear when he is upset or extremely proud of his kids).
3. Remind your kids daily that you love and care for them! Give them a hug in the morning, read to them at night, and tell them often that they are good kids. Kids will live up to your expectations if you tell them they are good, responsible kids they will be, if you tell them they are bad and you wish they would just go away - they probably will.
Being a dad is a huge responsibility that does not come with a manual, but it is the most rewarding "job" a person can ever have. We all work very hard at our professions but we should work even harder being a dad. Don't short change your kids!
Happy Father's Day!