As with anything worthwhile the origin is generally simple.  The results however, when embraced and acted upon can change the world.

My name is John Dockrey, I am the father of 6 wonderful children.  My wife and I were both raised in 'non-traditional' families [by our generations standards].  Too often we found ourselves asking each other, "Are we doing the right things and making effective decisions, when it comes to raising our children?"  

We engaged in general discussions with other parents, about raising children, but our rules and ideals about raising our kids were in no way close to what others felt were appropriate.  Not that they were wrong, certainly it was their decision, we just felt differently.  The difficulty we were having was that we had no foundation (based on our own personal histories) to emulate, in order to produce a solid family environment.  We  were starting from scratch... and frustrated.

Fortunately for us, the example we were looking for did exist.  Oddly enough it was a former high school teacher of mine (along with his wife), as well as being, second cousins to my wife (although she barely knew them on a personal level).  The challenges were: they were educated, we were not...  they were athletic, we were not... they seemed to have the perfect marriage, we were sure we didn't matched up to them... there children excelled at everything, ours did not... and the list seemed to go on.  When comparing what I perceived  their family to be, to our own, we simply couldn't measure up.

So I asked them... "How do you do it?"  And thank God I did!

And then I found out... they asked the same questions, had the same concerns about their children, and fought through many of the same battles we were.  As they shared their stories with us over the next few years it became clear that the things they were doing, were because of the undying dedication to their family.  They were not better, not more loving, not more dedicated  then us... just more focused.  Unique? Yes!  But, by working through their struggles together [the same challenges we all face] they developed ways of empowering their children, enhancing their marriage and deepening their faith, each aspect feeding off the others.

My good friends, Joe and Jan Anthony, weren't heroes - just caring, committed and loving parents.  

Because of the tremendous benefit our discussions were to my wife and I, as well as, our family... I asked Joe and Jan to work with me to develop a program that will help to address these same concerns shared by millions of parents all over the country.  Fortunately after a couple years of prodding, we are now launching the Dad's Workshops, devoted to you!

It makes me very proud to have had even a small roll in making this message available to caring fathers.  I look forward to sharing with and learning from you, with Joe's direction.

God Bless you and yours,

John Dockrey