One of the things I like to say to father's of adolescent and teenage boys, I like to poach this Michael Meade quote, "It is our responsibility as fathers to be a reliable companion to the intensity and passion of our young boys. To mentor them as they and the world around them is ripening into something momentous and daunting." "We have to confront, as men, that we are, in so many ways, responsible for the kind of man that our sons will become. Our mother's teach us so much; and yet, it is only the men that we love and who love us, that can teach us how to be men. " "Our sons need to; one, witness us behaving as men. Sharing our stories, our experiences, and feelings. Secondly, of equal importance, is our sons need to be witnessed for their stories, their ideas, their needs, and their questions. It is fundamental to their coming into their own self-esteem, that they know what their gifts and talents are because they are reflected back in our eyes. We've allowed them to accomplish, and help us accomplish and be acknowledged for that."