Getting it wrong
When you get it wrong
Every man gets it wrong in front of a boy at some point. What happens next is the lesson.
It will happen
You will lose your temper, break a promise, or say something you regret in front of a boy or a young man. Every adult does.
What happens next is the lesson
A real apology names what you did, does not include "but", and does not ask the younger person to make you feel better. Then the change shows up in what you do next time.
When it is more than a bad moment
If you are afraid of losing control, if a child may be harmed, or if drinking is part of it, pause and get help from the right people now. That is the most responsible thing a man can do, and it is not a failure.
Not a score
This guide does not grade you as a parent or an example. It helps you choose one thing you would like to do differently in your own behaviour.
Talk it through
The SI guide can help you think about your own version of this. It is not James, and not a professional of any kind.