On Being a Good Father

There are many ways by which a man can be a good father.  Believe me, he does not have to be be a saint or move mountains.  All he has to be is a good provider, companion, and teacher of his children.  His children will emulate him and will be more than happy to follow his lead.  They will always enjoy his presence, delight in his gifts, and appreciate everything he does and offers them.  Let us look at some ways through which he can do these things.

A role model to his kids

As a role model to his kids, he must take the initiative to support his wife.  Love her and work with her.  I know that at times there will be disagreements concerning how the home should be run.  Some may argue about money, discipline, and a spouse’s involvement in their children’s life.  It is good idea to understand this, and when these conflicts arise, try to handle them behind closed doors and away from the ears of your children.  This is not always easy to do, because in many instances, disagreements are spontaneous.  But it is always good to remember that your children are listening and will be emotionally and psychologically affected.  They may say, “Why are Daddy and Mommy always fighting?”

A father should be one of the leaders of his family.  He has certain specific roles and like a mother some of these overlap.  He should be there when his children enroll as cub scouts, little league, and participate in plays at school.  He must be willing to chauffeur them to these activities.  Praise and discuss these games.  Be happy and sad with them, and always be willing to be there for them.  In supporting his wife, he should be home in a timely manner, spend time with his kids away from school, and see to it that they do their home work.  Such involvement takes time, discipline, and perseverance.  Some of your kids may be quite smart, while others may require more help than usual.  A father has to be able to recognize these differences and cater for each of his children’s needs appropriately.

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