Fatherhood Paper
The article
I read was really good and it pointed some good points to being a good father
and talks about things that should be done as a father. It gave some valuable
advice so ill take some time and expand on them.
Have
fun. Sometimes people think that being a
father is always about being serious and not showing any type of notion of
wanting to have fun. But you must show both sides and not be only one
sided. From doing this you will show
your kids that you enjoy being their father. It may be that when you are always
serious your kids won't think you love being their father and that they are
only a burden to you. We don't want that.
We should be
a teacher by both word and action. Children need to be taught what is right and
what is wrong. But they need to see it done by their father. It is easy to criticize
kids for their mistakes. However, they need .to see fathers make decisions.
Explain why a certain decision is the right one. Sit them down and tell them of
past decisions and how they went wrong or you can tell them how they were
wrong. Teach them that it is ok to
mistakes but the most important thing is that we learn from those mistakes.
Tell them your experiences.
Respect your
children's mother. It is important to
show your children that you care and respect their mother. Children are known
to mimic the actions of their parents. So you don't want them to see you not
respecting their mom. Show them the true meaning of what love is and what
respect it. Make parenting a partnership.
Show affection.
Sometimes men are afraid to show affection.
That can't be the case when you are a father. It is important that your
kids know you love them. Your love is what will help them grow to be good
people. You can't just show them you love them by buying them nice things and
let them do whatever they want. You need to tell them with words that you love
them and want the best for them in life.
The job of
being a father is never done. You can't
think that once your children are out of the house at age eighteen that our job
is done. That goes for being a parent. Not just a father. You will obviously
have to let them know that they need to become independent but don't let forget
you still care for them. Let them know that you want to do what you can to help
them.
As I take
time and think about the time that I have had with my father I can easily see
that he did the things above really well. Something that has always impressed
me with my dad is the love and respect he has shown to my mom. In my time
growing up I have never seen them argue. There have been times where I can tell
that maybe he didn't agree with my mom but it was never worth raising his
voice, especially in front of his children. I think about this and even though
I am not married it gives me some type of excitement to do the same to my
future wife.
My dad is
really well off financially. This has taught me a few things. One is that hard
work pays off. Also, he has never just given us anything for free. If we have
wanted something extra then he makes us work for it. I know that sometimes when
parents have a lot of money they get their kids nice cars or nice phones but
that has never been the case with my dad. He doesn't spoil us. He gives us what
we need.
My dad has
always taken time to show us that God comes first. That for me is the most
important lesson he taught me in my youth. That has shaped who I am today. When
we put God first then we are blessed.
As I look
ahead for when I am a father I know there are certain things I will do to make
sure I am a good father. The first thing I will do is teach my example and not
only by word. I want my children to look at me and see my actions and know they
are good. I can't just tell them to do things without doing them myself.
I want to
include God in all my decisions. I know that by doing so I will be a lot more
successful than I would be if I made decisions alone. This also goes for my
wife. We will make decisions together. It can't just be me making all of the
decisions. That will not go that far if I do it like that.
I just want
to be healthy as my kids grow up. This will allow me to do activities with them
and that will only strengthen our bond we have. In my opinion it is important
to be physically active with your kids. I have seen the positive effect it has
had on the relationship with me and my father.
