3 Things Katt Williams Can Teach Us About Parenting
Katt Williams is without a doubt one of the funniest comedians to ever do it and after hearing his recent interviews, he’s of the realest as well. I respect the man’s game and learned a lot from his story. I know most people have been trippin about who stole jokes and who wore a dress (SO MANY!) but I’m more focused on who Katt was as a child and what helped him become the man he is today.
A few key points that hit me…
Reading
My dude said he read over 10,000 books by the time he was thirteen. 10,000!!!! I’m sorry what? I’ve always considered myself a bibliophile but Katt was reading autobiographies on world leaders when I was reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. No wonder the guy is so articulate. This man could speak circles around anyone and his memory is impeccable!
There are several benefits to consistently reading throughout childhood and adolescence:
Cognitive development
Enhanced language skills
Increased concentration and discipline
Strong imagination and creativity
A lifelong love for learning.
No wonder he wasn’t afraid to go and live his own life 1,000 miles away from his home at age twelve. He posted up across the street from a building full of thousands of his best friends: books. He lived in a park for a year and every single day he’d go to the library for 8 hours. He’d spend an entire school day and would learn the things he wanted to, read what excited and interested him.
Now do we have a full 8 hours for our kids to read every day? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to get as much in as we can daily. I read with my babies every day but this interview inspired me to read even more and have my oldest read to me. She’s at the point where she is reading books on her own and wants to get as much in as possible and I will continue to cultivate that drive. Reading = intelligence, empathy, understanding, and as the old song said “Knowledge is Power.” Create that habit early.
Knowing God
Katt had an innate sense of who he was from a young age. He knew there was a God at 5 but even more so, Katt knew that he could have a personal relationship with Him. Despite the issues he had with his family regarding religion early on, he still had a love for God and he never lost that identity and has kept it to this day.
Katt took the time to understand other religions by living amongst them and practicing them. He still has a great relationship with an Islamic Imam who regards him as a son. What he learned from these experiences was that most people who believe in a God, no matter the name, basically want the same thing. God is God, no matter what name you give Him.
How can we instill a love of God and knowledge of who God is to our kids? I have seen and known too many people who have suffered religious trauma to not do differently than their family did. Often, people who are considered ‘devout’ can become like the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Parents and leaders alike can often cause more pain than any atheist could when they exercise their dominion unrighteously.
We can build an identity of who God is by how we treat our kids. Too many have been harmed by the overzealous trying to beat the sin out of their kids rather than loving as Jesus would. This is a big reason so many can’t stand religion. Unrighteous judgment and teachings forced upon people rather than loving as their God would have. We need to teach the love of God by showing the love of God. Our children get the example of what our religion means from us. If we aren’t doing our best to follow our God, then they will notice, and what will they do once they see it?
Trust and Believe In Yourself
Katt has been to jail 19 times . . . 19! Not once did he go to jail and not once was the accusation correct. There are going to be people in this life that try to do you wrong. They will lie, they will cheat, they will gaslight but the truth will always let out. Katt always knew the situation he was in and could tell the truth exactly like it was providing evidence on his behalf.
He was never shaken by a situation because he knew it would be all right in the end. He knew the truth and could articulate it calmly. We can build a foundation of belief and confidence in our children. Teach them to believe in themselves because sometimes others will not. They will lie on them. They will try to hurt or disparage their name, but no one can take away your confidence if you don’t give it to them.
Trusting in oneself is one of the harder adaptations most of us millennials have to face. We leveled less with Thomas the Train and more with Doubting Thomas, especially when it comes to ourselves. As a parent, when we come true with our past and face it, we can make the changes necessary to grow.
Imagine raising a child who stands up to that bully who’s lying on their name and punches them straight in the face. Instead of lying down and accepting the beating like everyone else, maybe even like you. That’s how I want my child to trust in their abilities. That’s how I want them to trust themselves.
I know some people reading this might only remember Katt from the Pimp Chronicles and Money Mike on Friday, but those were characters. Look at this man’s character and see what you a glean from it. We can learn form everyone, as he did, and teach our kids to do the same.
Build Your Kingdom
Live Your Legacy
Let’s be better men