As a father, you have a very important role!
With recent early childhood development discoveries, investment in early childhood development takes extra importance for a father. However, regardless of the age of your child or of the father for that matter, a father’s positive influence can play a huge role.
Here are some important things a father can do to be a great father:
– Love unconditionally and practice “I love you the way you are, not the way I want you to be”. The more children are loved the way they are, the better their self-esteem and they feel more secured later on in their life.
– Be a great role model. The best way to teach a child is to model the behaviour. Children do not listen to what you say, they learn from what they see!
– Inspire in your children strong and deeper “roots”! Roots imply model principles, ethics, and values. Once children have strong roots they will not succumb to temptation and compromise on their principles, ethics, and values. This will give them a strong foundation of integrity leading to deeper relationships built on rapport and trust!
– Inspire your children to acquire “wings”. Wings imply model self-esteem and belief in self. Once children have wings they will have the confidence and positive pride to aim high and tap into their genius.
– Create memories by spending quality time with your children. Khalil Gibran beautifully said: “You give little when you give of your possessions, it is when you give of yourself that you truly give!”
– Be a loving husband, partner, sibling, human being! If you want your children to be loving spouses, siblings, human beings model that behaviour by being that person. As Saint Francis eloquently said “with words you can only preach, with the action you teach.
For me today is not only Father’s Day but also my Dad’s third birthday since he passed away. He was all of the above and more. I aspire to be like him & I have no excuse because I had a great role model. Thank you Dad! I love you and miss you!!
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers out there. Never too late to be a great father!