One duty I have not delegated during my time away from the office is being a Dad.

Actually, it is in high gear dealing with three teenaged sons. How did it get to three you ask? Well, we have a young man staying with us, for whom we are providing a safe and loving place for him to live. Not sure if the boys see it that way or not.

I learned long ago in business that if you have an issue and you commit resources to that issue, the issue has a chance of being corrected or going away. Pull the resources or attention and the issue has a chance of coming back and probably will. NO different with children.

As I have decreased supervision (since the kids are older) some behaviors have crept back in that are not acceptable but normal. If I tighten up, the behavior improves. We all have to fail at different things and at certain points in our lives, I know that and it is a great way to learn. Trust me, I have!

However, with that said, we don't want anyone that we care about to do something that effects them negatively for their entire life. It is ok for kids to make mistakes, but not mistakes that have grave consequences. Left unchecked, the vast majority of teenagers will find themselves in a situation that could turn ugly very quickly. Even with great parenting styles there are no guarantees, but I believe it makes a huge difference.

I have been blessed, that Leslie, my 34 year old daughter is also with us and she has been able to talk with them about her experiences when she was their age not that long ago. Thanks Leslie!

I've always said " it starts at home" and this week, home is Higgins Beach.

Thanks to all for your reading of the newsletter, writing in to us and for your continued support all the way around. We had lots of great comments on our new location and business model out on Rt#3 coming in summer 2013.

Headed back to the beach, looks like the sun is trying to come out.

Norm