Today's Business Lessons
10 ways to be a better dad
It’s finally Father’s Day.
My dear readers, especially those who are already fathers, I always
wanted to share this beautiful piece my friends from Brunei shared with
me, which they found at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
This is a material that I have kept all these years. It is so
astonishing, so fascinating and so inspiring that I know sharing this
article would make Father’s Day, the day dedicated to dads, complete.
10 WAYS TO BE A BETTER DAD
1. Love your children’s mother
Absolutely the best thing you can do...A husband and wife who let
their kids know they’re in love provide a secure environment for their
children. “If Dad and Mom accept each other, then they must accept me,
too” is the hidden message...and that’s a powerful declaration of
security for any child. The best family education? Having parents who
love and cherish each other.
2. Spend time with your children
How you spend your time reflects what’s important to you. It’s a
simple truth kids know long before Dads do. No matter what you might say
to make up for lost time, if your children feel you are not as
concerned about them as you are with work, or some other interest,
they’ll perceive that they’re not valuable. To kids, perception is
reality, which is why there’s no greater love a father can give than giving of himself for his children.
3. Earn the right to be heard
Want your child’s first thought when they’re facing adversity to
be “I wonder if Dad’s available?” Then build the road that will lead
them home now. That means taking an interest in their views and their
issues. It means being honest, and vulnerable. It also means talking
about anything...and often. Children want to be led, but the successful
father earns the right to lead.
4. Discipline with a gentle spirit
True discipline is a function of a father’s love for his
children, which is why it should never be hard-nosed or harsh.
Discipline’s role is not to intimidate or tear down but to mold and to
correct. So, discipline with a teacher’s heart and your children will
learn just how much you love them.
5. Be a role model
Fathers are role models to their children. A father can best
teach his children the values of self-restraint and hard work. A father
can also champion the virtues of honesty and humility by admitting when
he is wrong. Modeling-being a living example-is worth more to your
children than anything you could ever tell them.
6. Teach the lessons of life
For far too many fathers, teaching is something somebody else
does. However, the responsibility for teaching children rests primarily
with parents. A father who teaches his children right from wrong imparts
his faith in God to his kids and encourages them to strive for
excellence.
He’ll be rewarded as his children grow up to make good choices. A
father should always be alert for everyday examples in which to teach
his kids the lessons of life.
7. Eat together as a family
Most children today don’t know the meaning of family dinnertime.
Yet the communication and unity built during this time is integral to a
healthy family life. Sharing a meal together – breakfast, lunch or
dinner – provides structure to an often-hectic schedule. It also gives
kids the opportunity to talk about their lives. This is a time for
fathers to listen, as well as give advice and encouragement. But most
importantly, it is a time to be together on a daily basis.
8. Read to your children
In a world wired for sound and video, it’s important that fathers
make the effort to read to their children. Childhood is a time for
learning – first by seeing, then by hearing and reading. When a father
reads to his children, he draws out their creativity and helps inspire
their dreams. Reading to your children also encourages literacy, a
crucial step in a lifelong process of self-improvement. A father’s
desire to see his children soar above the clouds unfolds the moment he
opens a book and begins to read.
9. Show affection
Children long for a secure place in this fast-paced world. They
find it most often in the warm embrace of a parent. As children grow, so
does their need for acceptance and sense of belonging. Such a need is
met when a father offers a hug, or a kind word, and expresses his
appreciation and love for his children. But showing affection doesn’t
stop there. Letting your children know that you love them requires a
daily effort.
10. Realize a father’s job is never done
Some day every father must let go of the youthful activities that
bond him with his children. But a good father realizes that as he
allows his children their freedom to direct their own lives, he doesn’t
abandon them at a dorm room, a wedding altar, or the door of their first
job. His encouragement and discernment will leave a legacy to his
children and their children after that.
Don’t you just feel energized? I know I do.
In a hectic, everyday world where dads strive and work insane hours
to get the best for their kids, my advice would be to take a rest, eat
with your kids, talk and laugh with them. You don’t have to spend a lot,
just enjoy the day.
Happy Father’s Day!
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