Things Every Louisiana Dad Should Teach His Boys

I once saw a bumper sticker on a truck in the Blanchard area that read, "Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad."

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That has stuck with me for over forty years and while I'm sure I'm reading more into this than what that little sticker's original intent could have been, I also believe that in order for a guy to be a real Dad to his sons, it means that he teaches them how to be men. Real men.

That's why I've always had a slight issue with celebrating "Father's Day." Why celebrate fathers if any guy can do it? Those we celebrate are true Dads! However, with the occasion coming on Sunday, June 21st, I thought this might be the perfect time to discuss what it means to be a "Real Man."

You might recall back in 2020 when Louisiana native, Lainey Wilson, released the single, "Things a Man Ought to Know", she hit on several things she felt were imperative for a man to know.

Lainey Wilson sings, "I can hook a trailer on a two-inch hitch. I can shoot a shotgun, I can catch a fish. I can change a tire on the side of a road. Yeah, I know a few things a man oughta know"

Yes Lainey, those are a few things a man oughta know.

However, the list is incomplete as I feel there are scores of other things a real Louisiana man should know.

Things a Real Louisiana Man Ought To Know

He needs to know how to be the spiritual leader of his family
He needs to know how to treat a lady. (The greatest gift he can give his sons is to show them how much he loves and respects their mother)
He needs to know a number of good knots and after tying something down in his truck how to say, "That ain't going nowhere."
He needs to know how to be totally honest, even when it hurts
He needs to know how to back up a boat. One Saturday at a public boat ramp and you'll see this lesson gets skipped a lot
He needs to know how to put tobacco on a wasp or bee sting
He needs to know how to clean a deer
He needs to know how to grill a good steak
He needs to know how to sharpen a knife
He needs to know how to tie a tie
He needs to know how to look another man in the eye (without being creepy)
He DEFINITELY needs to know how to shake hands. With a firm grip!

Did we miss anything? Something special your Dad taught you that you felt important enough to pass on?