Some Keys to Being a Great Father
It's often said that being a great father is something that no one really ever teaches you how to do- that you generally have to learn by doing.
This is especially true these days, as more and more children have grown up over the last couple of decades either fatherless, or with a father who acted like anything but.
While it's easy to get worried and discouraged when you think that you'll never be able to be a great father because yours was missing or otherwise less than ideal, it's important to remember that learning to be a great father is ultimately the same as learning anything else.
And like learning other habits and skill sets, there are a few important keys to keep in mind- even if you were lucky enough to grow up with a great role model leading the way.
To start, you need to remember always that their needs and interests come before yours.
Whatever it is in your personal life that you think is so important, it just isn't compared to the responsibility of raising your children.
There's an old saying that parenthood is all about sacrifice first and foremost, and that's a true, true statement.
You sacrifice those aspects and things about yourself that you either thought were so important, or that you clung to, or that you didn't really care about, for the sake of your responsibility.
Whether it's unhealthy habits that you don't want your children to pick up or wastes of time that you enjoy a bit but aren't necessary, kids demand that you cut the negativity from you life.
One of the biggest 'sacrifices' you have to make for your children is your time.
Now, all I mean be 'sacrifice' in this instance is things you need to give up.
After all, most dads wouldn't say that spending time with their child is a sacrifice- they'd say it's their greatest joy.
What you're really sacrificing here is those empty things that don't really satisfy to free up time and space in your life to share with your children in a manner that truly satisfies both of you.
It almost doesn't matter what you do with your children as you share time with them, as long as you are fully present in that moment.
While there are the traditional activities like taking your children out to explore the world, playing sports with them, and teaching them lessons, there are still plenty of opportunities to simply listen to them talk, or to just lay around with them, that will prove to be just as important and meaningful for your kids as the more elaborate outings.
What's important is that they are a priority, that you share your time with them, and that you are fully present in those moments.
And in many ways that's the key to Fatherhood- remaining fully engaged with your children- making them one of, if not THE, main priorities in your life.
Children are sensitive, and all they really want from their parents is presence.
Thankfully, there's nothing easier to give to those whom you truly care about.
This is especially true these days, as more and more children have grown up over the last couple of decades either fatherless, or with a father who acted like anything but.
While it's easy to get worried and discouraged when you think that you'll never be able to be a great father because yours was missing or otherwise less than ideal, it's important to remember that learning to be a great father is ultimately the same as learning anything else.
And like learning other habits and skill sets, there are a few important keys to keep in mind- even if you were lucky enough to grow up with a great role model leading the way.
To start, you need to remember always that their needs and interests come before yours.
Whatever it is in your personal life that you think is so important, it just isn't compared to the responsibility of raising your children.
There's an old saying that parenthood is all about sacrifice first and foremost, and that's a true, true statement.
You sacrifice those aspects and things about yourself that you either thought were so important, or that you clung to, or that you didn't really care about, for the sake of your responsibility.
Whether it's unhealthy habits that you don't want your children to pick up or wastes of time that you enjoy a bit but aren't necessary, kids demand that you cut the negativity from you life.
One of the biggest 'sacrifices' you have to make for your children is your time.
Now, all I mean be 'sacrifice' in this instance is things you need to give up.
After all, most dads wouldn't say that spending time with their child is a sacrifice- they'd say it's their greatest joy.
What you're really sacrificing here is those empty things that don't really satisfy to free up time and space in your life to share with your children in a manner that truly satisfies both of you.
It almost doesn't matter what you do with your children as you share time with them, as long as you are fully present in that moment.
While there are the traditional activities like taking your children out to explore the world, playing sports with them, and teaching them lessons, there are still plenty of opportunities to simply listen to them talk, or to just lay around with them, that will prove to be just as important and meaningful for your kids as the more elaborate outings.
What's important is that they are a priority, that you share your time with them, and that you are fully present in those moments.
And in many ways that's the key to Fatherhood- remaining fully engaged with your children- making them one of, if not THE, main priorities in your life.
Children are sensitive, and all they really want from their parents is presence.
Thankfully, there's nothing easier to give to those whom you truly care about.