Fatherly Insights from the Little Yellow Coffee Van

There’s something magical about the little yellow coffee van. It’s not just the coffee—though let’s be honest, the brew is divine—but it’s the conversations that brew alongside it. Today, as I huddled with my mates, the topic veered towards fatherhood and the timeless wisdom we pass on to our sons. Here are twelve gems of fatherly advice, flavoured with the warmth of coffee and a touch of humour.

1. "I Love You"

Loving the son you have, not the one you envision, is the cornerstone of fatherly love. It’s unconditional, just like my love for a double espresso on a Monday morning. My son needs to know that no matter what, my love for him is unwavering.

2. "Get Back Up"

Resilience is key. I tell my son to learn from his failures—like when AA tries to impress everyone with his latte art and ended up with a frothy mess. “Fall down seven times, get up seven times,” I say, with the determination of a man who’s spilled his coffee but refuses to give up.

3. "It's Okay to Be Angry, Sad, or Depressed. It's NOT Okay to Stay There."

A mantra I always say to my boys is “Don’t let your emotions control you, you control your emotions.” Managing and regulating emotions is crucial. As fathers, we must teach our sons how to feel and experience their emotions, but not wallow in them. This is something I have learnt through getting it wrong. It's like accepting that sometimes, the coffee will spill, but we clean up and pour another cup.

4. "Treat the other parent with Respect"

Respect is paramount. The way I treat my partner sets the standard for how my son will treat theirs. No complaining, no fighting, no disrespect. It’s like maintaining the perfect milk temperature—not too hot, not too cold, just right, you definitely do not want to burn it.

5. "In Order to Get What You Want, You Have to Deserve What You Want."

Hard work and deservingness go hand in hand. The world isn’t crazy enough to reward the undeserving. It’s like expecting a perfect brew without grinding the beans—ain’t gonna happen, mate.

6. "I Don't Know Everything"

Admitting our limitations is important. I may be my son’s hero, but I don’t know everything. Sometimes, we need to say sorry and admit our ignorance—like when I pretended to know the difference between a macchiato and a cappuccino.

7. "You Can't Give What You Don't Have"

Love, loyalty, empathy, happiness—these are qualities we must embody and exemplify. You can’t pour from an empty cup, much like you can’t pour a good coffee without quality beans.

8. "I Am Proud of You and Who You Are Becoming."

Recognition and encouragement are key. My son needs to know he’s a hard worker and capable of figuring things out. He can be anything, but not everything—just like I can enjoy coffee in many forms but not all at once.

9. "You Have What It Takes. I Believe in You."

Instilling confidence and self-reliance is essential. A strong foundation for self-esteem is laid by a father’s belief in his son. It’s like knowing that with the right blend, the coffee will always be great.

10. "Stop Listening to What People Say and Watch What They Do."

Actions speak louder than words. Words can lie, but actions reveal the truth. I tell my son to listen and observe—like I watch the barista’s hands to ensure they’re making my coffee just right.

11. "You Will Be Happiest When Building Your Mind, Body, Family, Business."

Creating more than you consume leads to happiness. It’s about making something happen in the world, just like the satisfaction of brewing the perfect cup of coffee from scratch.

12. "Be a Gentleman and Stand Your Ground."

Having a strong set of moral principles and doing the right thing, even when it’s tough, is crucial. It’s like standing firm on your preference for a particular roast, despite everyone else’s opinions.

*Inspired by the camaraderie and wisdom shared around the little yellow coffee van, this blog post delves into the essentials of fatherhood—seasoned with a touch of humour and the warmth of a good coffee.