All of us are desperate to have someone believe that we are worthwhile. What if a man believes that kind words stifle improvement? What happens to his children when he hands out criticism, but never praise? He learned this mindset from his own father—will he pass it on to his son? Continue reading
Category Archives: Influence
PRAISE
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Influence, Relationships
MILTON FRIEDMAN IS DEAD
Speculation runs rampant on what Milton Friedman would do in today’s economy, particularly in regard to QE or “Quantitative Easing.” Opinions vary wildly. It’s news. I want to know, too. Keep in mind that Milton Friedman passed away in 2008. The man is dead.
You may think that Jonelis is out in left field. He’s not writing on bookish topics or issues of faith. Not so, as you will see. Continue reading
LOST IN GAMES
Many kids today are lost in destructive video games. Their friends are avatars. They spend less time relating to others and develop fewer skills to do so. Many become isolated, especially from the family unit, and deftly block parents from their world. That isolation can lead to depression and destructive behavior. A father and mother are disarmed—unable to bond with their kids—helpless to guide them during those precious years. Continue reading
Filed under Conflict, Games, Influence, Relationships
A CHILD’S INFLUENCE
A twelve year old boy and his father share a long commute every afternoon. Doesn’t that sound like a recipe for quality time between a father and his gifted and precocious son? Maybe, maybe not. Continue reading
Filed under Conflict, Influence, Relationships
GAMES
How can games connect people on a unique level?
Games are a form of interaction, challenge and mental stimulation. People play games to teach, for relationship, or just for fun.
A board game or a card game has structure, but some games do not. Some have no rules. Think about the verbal manipulation a child uses to get his way.
What if a game becomes the primary communication tool between two people? Is that healthy? Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Games, Influence, Relationships
INTELLIGENT SON
How does a father deal with a more-intelligent son?
Say the boy is twelve, going to a gifted school, with an IQ around 180 and just a touch of autism—but precocious. He’s a nice kid and respectful, but one of his missing pieces is that he thinks everybody knows everything he knows and he doesn’t understand when they don’t. He reads Crime and Punishment and studies Calculus. He skims through a light novel in one evening. He knows what his dad is about to say before the words are formed. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Influence, Relationships
PARENTAL INFLUENCES
How does a mother influence her husband’s negative message to their son?
This situation is poison for a family. The father may be abusive or alcoholic. On the other hand, he may be well-meaning, wanting to teach his son—but he teaches all the wrong things. The consequences can be devastating to a boy and last his entire life. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Games, Influence, Relationships
The Gamemaker's Father 