site mapI decided to write this article because I feel strongly that there are far too many children in the world who are reaching out to their parents for love and support, and
not getting a fair shake at life. I have an 11-year old son, Ronny Jr., who is now living with me after a long and painful custody battle. I decided to seek full custody because I felt he was not getting the proper tools he would need to become successful in life that I, as a loving, devoted father could provide. Now that I look back on all the attorney fees and emotional upheaval, I know that
it was the best decision I could have made on his behalf. I’m also fortunate to have a wife who accepts my son unconditionally, and treats him like her own. She has always been very supportive, and is a crucial part of my son’s path toward becoming an emotionally healthy young man. Being a parent is challenging enough, but you have to work especially hard to make mostly right decisions where your child is concerned; mistakes are part of the equation, but the goal is to learn from them. My son and I have a very close relationship, and we both feel that we can talk about anything.

This is very important because I want to create a situation where I am his strongest influence, even though his peers could also influence him. My hope is to reduce the risk of him making decisions that could haunt him forever. Growing up in Hawaii, I was always taught to respect my elders, and that is something that I see young people forget, or more than likely are never taught. There is one statement I hold true: “A child is a reflection of his parents.” We as parents have to be willing to take responsibly for our children. Ronny loves football and track, and shows great potential for success even at his young age. I have always told him that once you commit to something you have to finish it, even if you don’t like it. He is presently running track for West Valley Eagle track club of Woodland Hills, California, and is ranked No. 1 in the 100 meters for his age division. He qualified for the Junior Olympics two years in a row, but was unable to compete because he has spent the past two summers in Hawaii with his mom.