Harrison Schenck Profile picture
Feb 8, 2021 29 tweets 6 min read Read on X
20 more life lessons every father must teach his son

=THREAD= Image
1. Your family is the most important business you’ll ever run

Successful businesses have a vision. They have a mission and values. You’d never start a business without diligence and intention. And you'd never start without the right partner. Why would your family be different?
2. Truth is the highest virtue

Truth is objective. There are laws of nature and rules to life. Success isn't an accident, it's an algorithm. If you prefer a subjective view of truth, eventually you'll be lying to yourself. Seek the truth, speak it always, and guard it fiercely.
3. Take advice selectively

Most advice is bad. People give advice freely on subjects they know little about. Or they'll project, telling you what they would have wanted to hear. But occasionally you’ll find someone who truly has what you want. That’s the advice to listen to.
4. Never complain

There is nothing more pitiful than a man who complains. When something doesn’t go your way, ask yourself this question: “Do I have the power to change it?” If yes, take action to change it. If no, accept your situation and move on. But never, ever complain.
5. Familiarity breeds contempt

People become tired of behavior they can predict. This fatigue leads to boredom, and boredom is one step removed from resentment. Do not be flaky, and do not be erratic. But do indulge in a bit of mystery now and then. Your peers will thank you.
6. Never make excuses

Excuses are cheap, that’s why everyone has them. Taking responsibility is hard. Looking at yourself objectively and owning your shortcomings is a feat of humility most men never master. And that’s exactly why you should do it.
7. Never gossip

A man doesn’t gossip. A man doesn’t trust another man who gossips. If someone is comfortable speaking openly about the private affairs of another, they’d be comfortable doing the same to you. Run far away from gossipers. Your reputation depends on it.
8. Gratitude is an action

Gratitude is not a platitude. It’s an actionable cognitive technique you can use to improve your happiness. Tell the people in your life you’re grateful for them. Show them. Express your gratitude for your life in thought, word, and deed. Every day.
9. People aren’t interested in your problems

If you have present and engaged parents, share your setbacks with them. A brother or dear friend will also do. Find aligned men within whom to confide. But bring your problems to the broader world? You'll likely be met with contempt.
10. Women want a man with options

Women want a socially valuable man on a mission, who is likely to fulfill his ambitions and aptitudes. She wants a man who could have anyone, but wants her. Are you wondering how to attract women? Start by becoming this type of man.
11. Don’t waste a woman’s time

It is selfish to prolong a relationship with a woman who is interested in starting a family while you’re not ready. If you want different things, it's honorable to move on and let her find what she desires.
12. How you look matters

Your posture is your first impression. Your body composition is your second. What you’re wearing is your third. Don't listen when people say "only what’s inside counts". Your appearance will open doors, your value will take you across the threshold.
13. Do what you say

You’re only as good as your word. A man who says he’ll do a thing and doesn’t deliver will never have the respect of other valuable men. If you can’t deliver, don’t promise it. If you’re unsure, set expectations appropriately. Under-promise always.
14. You are your circle

Your associations speak more loudly than your actions. Nothing carries further in the eyes of the general public than the stench of bad company. You are the average of your five closest friends. And other people will notice who they are, I guarantee it.
15. You get what you ask for

If you don’t ask for it, you’ll never get it. Advocate for yourself, or you’ll never get what you want, much less what you deserve. "Ask, and it shall be given to you." The world gives graciously to the bold, but a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
16. Don’t waste the easy times

Life will throw you difficulties. When things are calm, use that time wisely. Prepare, create, build yourself up. Gather what you will need to outlast the winter. Because you don't rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your preparation.
17. You get what you give

What you get out is what you put in. You can have all the blessings in the world, but without action they won’t get you very far. The world operates based on value. Create value for others or your value is near zero. No it isn't fair. Yes it's reality.
18. Don’t waste time on embarrassment

Nobody is thinking about you nearly as much as you’re thinking about yourself. You will commit faux pas of varying severity. Simply learn from them and move on. Be comforted that most people are too busy worrying about themselves to care.
19. Tailor your words to your audience

Every person you meet will have a different communication style. Some are blunt, some are subtle. Some are serious, some are gregarious. Success requires speaking to people in their preferred manner, not yours. Meet them where they are.
20. Look out for yourself first

The best way to change the world, to truly help people, is to make yourself great. You can affect very little from a position of powerlessness. To become powerful you must become valuable, and this will require selfishness. And that's OK.
Save Your Sons is on a mission to end fatherlessness. To do that, we are giving young men the tools they need to approach the creation and direction of their families intentionally.

You can join in by clicking the link in our bio and subscribing to our email list.
I also invite you to follow our new account, @FathersQuotes - where you'll find daily wisdom on the joys of life, fatherhood, and family.

Thank you as always for reading!
A thread containing actionable critical thinking exercises for you and your kids is here:
Your family is your business. This thread teaches leadership qualities a father can master and model for his children as they grow:
20 traits of great fathers

Master these so you can pass them down to your family:
How to be wealthy and happy, in 16 steps:

Your freedom begins the day you realize your freedom is in your own hands:

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More from @SaveYourSons

Jan 18
20 life lessons I'm teaching my sons 🧵 Image
Fairness is a myth. Some people have easier lives than you. Some people have lives that are way more difficult. Stop expecting fate to play fair, and stop comparing yourself to others
Your ancestors knew more than you think. "Tradition is a solution for problems that have been forgotten. Remove tradition, you get the problem back". Don't dismiss your ancestors' wisdom just because it's "old".
Read 23 tweets
May 14, 2024
101 skills to teach your kids 🧵 Image
When I first started writing about fatherhood online, one of the most common concerns I got from other dads/parents was this:

"I just don't know what to do with my kids"

It was always surprising to hear, but it was common enough I started compiling this list and have been adding to it here and there.

Hopefully it's useful, and hopefully you never run out of ways to spend time with your kids 👇
1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; teach them how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, tell stories, and enjoy the family time

2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing (how to clean a fish etc), teach them patience at the same time

3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car, whatever)

4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch, basic rules of different sports

5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, replace oil, keep it clean)

6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to clean a grill
Read 18 tweets
Mar 28, 2024
I asked you to name classic books that are "must reads" with your kids

Here are 15 of the top answers you gave, with brief synopses and discussion lessons from each (save this and reference it with your kids): Image
1. The Call of the Wild, Jack London

Buck, a domestic dog, is abducted and sold into the brutal life of an Alaskan sled dog. As he copes with his new life, Buck reverts to his wild instincts to survive and eventually becomes the leader of a wolf pack.

Lessons for kids:

-The importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of change.

-Embracing one’s inner strength when dealing with challenges.

-The value of understanding and respecting nature.

(might be scary for younger kids)Image
2. Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne

A collection of stories about a stuffed bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood (ok everybody knows that). Together, they embark on simple adventures that mirror common childhood experiences in an imaginative way.

Lessons for kids:

- The importance of friendship.

- Emphasizes the significance of imagination in everyday play.Image
Read 19 tweets
Mar 24, 2024
Lots of parents ask me for a big list of things to teach their kids. So I put this one together.

Make sure you save it so you never run out of things to do with your kids. And add your own in the comments if you have them.

1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; pitch a tent, build a campfire, enjoy bonding time

2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing and patience, (and how to clean a fish)

3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car)

4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch

5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, check oil, etc)

6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to flip meat

7. Martial arts: join a boxing or jiu jitsu gym together, or just punch a heavy bag

8. How to throw a punch: proper foot and shoulder position, how to guard your face

9. Gardening: plant a small garden together, learn how to care for & nurture the plants

10. Astronomy: get outside and look at the stars, talk about the constellations

11. Biking: just go do it

12. Home improvement: change lightbulbs, fix toilets together, etc

13. Chess: one of my favorites, teach strategy, thinking several moves ahead

14. Model building: build model cars/airplanes/trains, emphasize attention to detail

15. Geocaching: a modern day treasure hunt

16. Archery: kids love this, teach technique and patience

17. Rock climbing: builds strength, coordination, and trust

18. Metal detecting: more treasure hunting (bonus points for hiding treasure ahead of time)

19. Photography: teach composition, basics of different lenses

20. Emotional intelligence: how to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others

21. First aid basics: CPR, bandaging wounds, Heimlich

22. Cooking essentials: teach basic healthy meals, kitchen safety

23. Goal setting: create achievable goals, strategies to hit them

24. Public speaking: practice confidently & effectively speaking in front of the family

25. Manners: teach proper social behavior in your region

26. Networking: how to win friends and influence people

27. Basic sewing: how to patch clothes, sew a button

(continued on next post)Image
28. Decision-making: how to make a decision based on facts

29. Digital literacy: online safety, basic excel skills

30. Negotiation: learn leverage, create win-wins

31. Laundry & clothing care: washing/folding/stain removal

32. Home security: secure your living space together

33. Environmental stewardship: leave spaces cleaner than you found them

34. Travel: basic planning, how to create itineraries

35. Map reading: kids love maps, teach how to interpret them

36. Electrical skills: safety and handling minor issues (circuit breaker etc)

37. Reading comprehension: analyze and critically evaluate written material

38. Time management: prioritize tasks, set deadlines, avoid procrastination

39. Job interview skills: do mock interviews together

40. Resume writing: write mock resumes together

41. Self-reflection: learn personal strengths and weaknesses

42. Work ethic: teach dedication, punctuality, dependability, thoroughness

43. Bike maintenance: how to fix a tire, adjust brakes, etc

44. Volunteering: go do it together

45. Art appreciation: visit a museum

46. Resourcefulness: thinking outside the box

47. Personal safety: how to avoid dangerous situations

48. Conflict de-escalation: techniques to defuse tense situations

49. Posture: stand up straight, shoulders back, eyes forward

50. Study habits: learn how to learn

51. Organization: how to maintain a clean, organized living space

52. Public transportation: how to read schedules and maps

53. Swimming: non-negotiable, the sooner the better

54. Musical instruments: pick one he likes, learn together

55. Memory techniques: read "Moonwalking with Einstein" together

56. Sportsmanship: how to act when you win and when you lose

57. Basic plumbing: how to unclog a sink

58. Writing: practice together

59. Typing: do family speed contests online

60. Firearm use and safety: safe handling and maintenance

61. Fire safety: teach how to prevent fires, and how to respond in case of a fire

62. Assertiveness: closed mouths don't get fed

63. Budgeting: create and manage a personal budget

64. Animal care: feeding/walking/etc

65. Weather: learn how weather works, prepare for severe weather together

66. Personal branding: teach the importance of maintaining a positive personal image

67. Sleep hygiene: develop healthy habits early

68. Mentorship: teach the value of guidance from people w/experience

(continued on next post)
69. Body language: how to interpret non-verbal cues

70. Basic nutrition: macro nutrients, calories, metabolism

71. Patience: practice real examples of delayed gratification

72. Gratitude: verbalize gratitude together daily

73. Presentation skills: assign a topic and present

74. Storytelling: how to be captivating, how to keep attention

75. Ice-skating: because why not

76. Giving feedback: learn how others are individually receptive to feedback

77. Receiving feedback: accept critiques gratefully, while considering the source

78. Computer maintenance: troubleshoot common computer issues together

79. Poker: reading other people, probabilities, avoiding tells

80. How to set boundaries: assertively and empathetically

81. Theater: go to plays together

82. Time alone: learn to be content by yourself

83. Drawing: practice together

84. History appreciation: remember, it's always written by the winners

85. Human nature: people are predictable, human nature never changes

86. Active listening: how to be attentive and show you're listening

87. Sartorialism: how to dress

88. Morning routine: develop one and practice it together

89. How to host: the art of hospitality

90. How to be a guest: the art of graciousness

91. Build a library: let kids pick books and add to family library

92. Foreign language: learn one together

93. Chivalry and respect: treat others with timeless kindness

94. Calligraphy: practice various styles and techniques together

95. Speed reading: read Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump

96. Writing thank you notes: what to include, when to send

97. Basic strength training: start with pullups/pushups

98. Hill sprints: race each other, one day your kids will win

99. Bushcraft: build shelter and survive using the nature around you

100. Family tree: map yours together

101. How to tip servers: amount, when to do it

Thanks for reading this far

Couple things you'll notice as you look through the list, these items usually fall into one of two categories

1) they're things you do in your daily life anyway. The secret is to simply include your kids. Teachable moments are everywhere

2) if they're not things you do every day, then they're things that will make you a better, more well rounded person. By learning new skills and hobbies, you're setting the best possible example for your kids. You're showing them a man who is never "finished." You're always getting better. And that's the only real example that matters at the end of the day.
Read 4 tweets
Mar 22, 2024
Reminders for dads (myself included)

-say yes more often
-don’t wish away time
-keep your voice calm
-you can never be too patient
-remember they’re watching
-you’re never a finished product
-an extra story at night won’t hurt
-the good old days are happening right now

(continued👇)Image
Say yes more often.

Saying “no” is easy. It’s a comfortable default. But one day they’ll ask to play for the last time, and you never know which day that will be.Image
Don’t wish away time.

“When they’re older it will be easier.” I’ve caught myself saying this. And maybe it will be true (it probably won’t). And either way, what a shame it is to wish away the precious time we have right now.Image
Read 11 tweets
Dec 1, 2023
8 Parenting & Marriage tips for Dads (continued in followup posts) 👇 Image
Image
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Read 9 tweets

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