Parenting: Balancing Tough and Tender

Its seems that even tough guys can have a sound philosophy on Parenting.

From Mens Health: Michael Madsen's done his share of hard living. But even more shocking: At 45, he's the author of two books of poetry and father of five boys, ages 6 to 16. That's a lot of testosterone under one roof (and, says Madsen, "a lot of pee on the toilet seats*"). As he creates another blood-soaked villain in Kill Bill Vol. II, we asked Madsen how he tutors his boys about the delicate balance between tender and tough.

"My mother gave me culture. She encouraged me to be a sculptor and to read. And from my dad I got, "Ya gotta be the toughest son of a gun on the street." So I had this bizarre duality. I encourage my boys to do stuff in the arts, but I'm also a big advocate of not taking any sh--. I have a heavy bag [at my house in ontana], and every morning the boys go three 3-minute rounds on the heavy bag with the gloves".

MADSEN'S MANTRAS
1. Kids are a great excuse for you to stop acting like one yourself.

2. Encourage your kids' artistic side. Toughen up everything else.

3. Your children don't have to fear you to respect you.

4. Is it really selling out if it feeds your family?

*Something my own mother used to complain about with 4 guys in the house.