I love being a dad. Which is strange, because I usually do not enjoy things that I am not very good at.

For example, I loathe working on automobiles. I get frustrated playing around under the hood when I know deep inside that I don't know what I'm doing. I don't even change my own oil for this reason. While that is one of the few things I do know how to do, I would rather not risk making an idiot of myself.

And yet, somehow, I totally love being a parent even though I know deep inside that I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe I take comfort in knowing that many others are just as clueless as I am. Whatever the reason, I do enjoy being a father and watching my children grow up into incredible young people.

But I still want to ask for help. Over the past two or three years I have been putting some thoughts into writings that I want to share with my sons. My goal was to give these writings to them when they turn twelve and use the writings as a framework for our discussions in the following years. My oldest son turns twelve on Wednesday so I am running out of time to edit my thoughts.

I only have three sections thus far, but these make up the heart of what I want to say. It's very short and can be found here. It is also attached to this post.

This is where I want to ask for help. I invite each of you to read it and provide your input.

From those you who have grown children: In retrospect, what would you like to have said to your son before the teen years? What would you say to them now?

From those of you with teenagers and small children: What would you tell a son approaching the teen years?

I would also love to hear from anyone that has daughters. Any advice from that perspective to help with young boys? What would you say?