CHALLENGING IDEAS FOR ACTION-ORIENTED DADS
from Dr. Ken Canfield & the NATIONAL CENTER for FATHERING
Copyright 1999 National Center for Fathering
Reprinted with Permission

How to Handle a Crisis

A Picture ...
Rescue teams battled heavy rains as they worked to free over 102 survivors from the rubble of a 5.9 Richter earthquake in Athens. Environmental inspectors said 80 percent of over 1,000 buildings examined in the earthquake area were too damaged to be habitable.

During the rescue, a story of fathering valor emerged. In a collapsed apartment building, a man held up a beam for over 24 hours to stop it from crushing his 10-year-old son. Rescuers pulled both of them from the debris, but the father died later from his injuries.

To Think About ...
Unforeseen crises will occur in families. As fathers, often the only thing we can control is our response in the face of a crisis. A positive response is crucial. While we may not be able to prevent accidents and disasters, our actions can do a lot to determine their outcomes for our families.

Some crises may seem paralyzing, but in every case there are always actions we can take which, even if they don't (or can't) resolve the crisis, will at least buffer our family against greater damage. And more than that, our actions during those times provide lasting memories that stay with our children. When a crisis happens for our sons and daughters years from now, they'll think, "What would Dad have done?" and remember how we responded. Our example will give them confidence as they face their own crises.

This story from Greece provides another reason to believe in the hearts of fathers. It shows that within each of us lies the ability to rise to the occasion and courageously do what needs to be done. When crises occur, simply say, "This is it! It is for occasions just like this that I was made a father and a man."

In the News ...
Jim Leyland ended the speculation about his career this week by making official his decision to retire from managing the Colorado Rockies. The 54-year-old Leyland was a successful manager for several National League teams--including the World Series-winning Florida Marlins--and his current contract was the most lucrative ever for a baseball manager.

Leyland said, "I will not manage a professional baseball team again. Trust me. I probably should leave a gray area because you never know what's going to happen, but I'm not going to manage again.... I'm burned out," he said. "I want to go home to be with my family, to be a husband and father."

ACTION POINTS for Protective Fathers
1. Tell your children a heroic story about your father or another father-figure who came to your rescue.
2. Teach, demonstrate, and practice CPR in the living room with your child.
3. Scan the paper or evening news, or search the Internet for a story about someone who stood tall in the face of catastrophe.
4. Ask your children to talk about their fears or challenges facing them.
5. Pray with your children at least three times this weekend, petitioning God for their protection and care.
6. Share this article with a friend by clicking here.