Happy Father's Day: Dad's Lessons Handed Down

Father's Day is today, which means it's time to honor the great dads in our lives. Here are some lessons from genConnect experts on what they've learned from these awesome men...

Sarah Brokaw is a licensed therapist who specializes in relational dynamics. Brokaw's book, Fortytude: Making the Next Decades the Best Years of Your Life-through the 40s, 50s, and Beyond, is about embracing and enjoying your forties and beyond. She says one important lesson she learned from her dad, veteran TV news actor, correspondent and The Greatest Generation author Tom Brokaw, is one of accountability. Here's what she says:

"My father taught me that we're all personally accountable for the choices we make.

When I was a junior in high school, my boyfriend was back from college visiting during the holidays, and on one night, I had one too many cocktails. The next day, my dad was very matter of fact about the situation. I was hung over and underage! So he had me clean out the storage room. That was what I was going to do, and that's how he held me accountable for my actions.

Another time when I was young, I had a party one weekend without my parents' consent. When they came back, my father wasn't upset with me about having the party, but he was upset we were disrespectful to the doormen at the building. So he had me write an apology letter to the doormen!

His method of teaching me to be accountable was very calm and pragmatic. I remember kicking and screaming, but it taught me a huge lesson: No matter whom you're affiliated with, you show them respect.

I feel like Fortytude is about being held accountable for the choices you make, once again. Part of aging gracefully is to show respect toward others. Also, when you feel accountable for your choices, you realize there's no one else to blame. It's not about victimizing ourselves, but rather about empowering ourselves with the knowledge that we're responsible for our actions. Ultimately we can and do have control over our lives."

Watch our interview with Sarah Brokaw on living a healthy lifestyle and why you shouldn't fear aging.

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As kids, we want to be a lot of things - from ballerinas to astronauts - but nothing compares to growing up and being like our dad. Celebrity chef and 2002 "Woman of the Year" Claudine Pépin followed in her famous dad's footsteps. Jacques Pépin is an internationally recognized French chef, best-selling cookbook author, and host of the PBS cooking show, "Essential Pépin."

Claudine Pépin says: