The cool thing about becoming a parent for the first time is the thought of having a little mini-me running around the place. Having a young mind that you can mold in to the man you want him to be, distilling your values into that young mind in the hope that he will grow up to become a decent and "cool" human-being.

So today i was thinking..... what are the three things i want to teach Theo the most? Well after a little deliberation i came up with the following:

1. RESPECT
Kids can be dicks - not surprising really when you consider all the hormones flying around. Still i want Theo to grow up understanding the meaning of respect; To treat others the way you want to be treated routine. It breaks my heart seeing old people on the news because they have been attacked, burgled or abused because they're vulnerable. I do think that my generation were not given the chance to learn respect, we were given everything on plate.

I had to work for everything i had, i lived in household with 4 kids and a dad that couldn't work due to illness. We never went without but when i had the chance i worked, from the age of 12 i worked to buy everything i needed - i want Theo to work hard and understand that nothing in this life is free. You shouldn't expect the world if you don't go out and earn it.

2. Liverpool FC
Theo will be a Liverpool fan..... with a rich history, both bad and good, Liverpool are a team that many people admire. A family club at heart Liverpool fans a the best, they have honor and love for their club; even in the dark years of mid table mediocrity our fans sing their hearts out week in week out. Not supporting the top dog i hope will make him understand quickly the up and downs of life.... and football. It i hope will show him that even if you do work hard you can't always get what you want!

Everybody loves the underdogs as well and why wouldn't you want to support a team that this year (2014) are pushing the top 4 to their limits!

3. Books & Reading
I love reading, who doesn't? I think that reading is vital in the growth and development of children. I never want E-books to replace hardbacks. There is something special about picking up a book, its smell, its touch and actually having it in your home. Reading is not a novelty - i don't wan Theo to reply on his I-pad for entertainment every night of the week. I really do want him to inherit my love for book and reading, if he does he will with no doubt in my mind be a very bright young man. When i leave this earth he will inherit my book collection and i do hope he likes Dennis Wheatley.