by Rick Bennett
I have great kids. All four of them are genuinely fun to be around and very helpful on a boat. They have learned what is expected of them during such events as anchoring the boat, tying up to a dock, navigating at night, clearing a net full of shiners into the live well or landing a fish. I often brag to my friends how good my kids are and how they are more help on the water than most adults. Many times, the reply I get is âwait until they are teenagersâ.
My son Andrew will be fourteen this month and his younger brother Caleb will be 13, and so far, so good. I have noticed that they no longer think that everything that I do is cool, and they no longer accept everything that I say like it is the gospel truth. That doesnât bother me, because honestly, I have never been very cool, and it does not take divine insight to know that everything I say is not always correct. I canât fault them for calling a spade a spade. They are beginning to think for themselves and as long as I am still afforded a certain amount of respect because Iâm Dad, I will be content with that. Besides, I have a tool in my parenting bag of tricks, it is my kids love of fishing.
I sometimes tell people that âThe Manatee River is the reason that I have never been to jailâ, what I mean by that, is that as an uncool kid who had access to a boat and lived on the river, I spent so much of my time and energy fishing, water skiing, and exploring the river that I did not have too many chances to get in very much real trouble. I can see the same thing beginning to happen with my kids. Sure, they spend a lot of time on the computer, but it is usually to watch you tube videos of fish being caught, or to see what boats are for sale on Craigslist. Yes, they sometimes turn down an outing with their dear old dad to go over to a friendâs house, but they can go by boat to their friendâs dock, and they text me pictures of fish while they are gone and come home with fillets.
Young people have a lot of energy, fishing can focus some of that energy into a constructive purpose. They donât always make the best decisions, fishing can provide an environment where they can learn from mistakes without life destroying consequences. Teenagers can be emotional and under tremendous social pressure, fishing can be a comforting escape where things are simple and make sense. High schoolers are still trying to figure out who they are, it is my hope that fishing can demonstrate to them that they are a unique person who has been made in the image of God, who loves them and has determined the exact time and place where they fit into His creation.
As my kids get older they do try my patience, fishing helps me relate to them and gives me an opportunity to express my unconditional love for them.
Rick Bennett Broker/ Bennett Realty Services LLC. (941)962-0517