20 years ago I was teaching middle school. A young man was caught doing something pretty serious. We held a special meeting with teachers and administrators and parents to see what we can do. (Really - to put on a united front but that's not how it's explained). In all my years, these meetings never went well. Parents always seemed to defend the kids' actions no matter how severe. This meeting was different. Don't get me wrong, the school usually got it wrong too - but the way families and the school seemed to be so uninterested in correcting bad behavior always stunned me.

Dad reviewed the evidence (it wasn't debatable) and turned to the kid. He said, "I raised you better than this. I taught you to show respect, and be kind, and this is not respectful or kind." Then he turned back to the teachers and said, "We don't need you here. This is a father/son issue and I will handle it." We teachers weren't the solution. We were in the way. He didn't need our help. Even more, he wasn't going to beat the kid or be abusive, but there was going to be a lesson taught.

I remember thinking, this kid is going to be okay. With a father like that, he will turn out great.
Out of the blue, I got a phone call from that father last night. He didn't know who I was - it was for something else. I told him that for 20 years I had used him as an example of what I wanted to be as a dad. Then I asked the big question. "Where is your son now?"

"He is so successful. People love him. He is working as a _________ and has worked his way up the ladder. He has built this awesome professional community. I just couldn't be prouder of that boy."

Yep. Thought so.