Parenting Tips

It’s been said that although anyone can be a father it takes someone special to be a dad. While the father’s role in parenting seems to be growing smaller other duties continue to take over what little time is available in this fast paced lifestyle that we seem to be leading anymore. As the role of fatherhood evolves and things in the world around us change there is one constant; fathers always have played, and continue to play an important role in the lives of their children.

The father’s role shouldn’t be taken for granted as it is something that affects the whole family whether the children live with one or both parents. Five of the main ways the father’s role in parenting can affects the whole family in a positive way are listed below.

1. Give the mother respect. It doesn’t matter whether you live with the children’s mother are not she deserves your respect. By giving her respect you teach the children to have respect for her and for others. By respecting each other parents give their children a sense of stability and security, even and perhaps especially if they are no longer together. I seeing their parents respect each other children tend to feel that they are respected and accepted.

2. Spend some time with your children and the whole family. If you and the child’s mom are together then you should spend time with her and with your children. It is an important part of a father’s role in parenting to let your children see you and their mom trying to make the marriage work and keeping the family together. Your kids also need to see that you are spending time with your family. This shows them that they are all important to you.

3. Be a positive role model. Live your life in a way that you would want your child to when your child is your age. Demonstrate to your child the positives in life. Being a positive role model for your child shows them that it is possible to follow the rules that you have set and still be happy and productive as an adult. There are so many role models available that have bad habits is important that we give our children good role models to look up to so they don’t feel that humanity has become inhumane.

4. Be their teacher. Teaching your children is not something that someone else does. As their father, it is up to you to also be their teacher. Maybe you won’t teach them math or English, but there are many life lessons that you can teach them. Love, respect, right from wrong and how to make good choices in life are lessons that are just as important as reading and writing. As their father, you should teach them the important lessons but also (like we said before) set an example and let your behavior illustrate the lessons that you are teaching them.

5. Be the head of the household. The most important job you can have and quite possibly the most important part of father’s role in parenting is being the head of the household. As with any other organized group there needs to be a leader, you are this leader. It is important that you take on this job from the beginning knowing that it is a serious position. As a father and a husband it is your position to lead your family. For your family to feel secure and for your children to grow up with high self esteem you need to be a strong leader.

The leader of the household is not a dictator nor is he someone who continually bosses people around. The leader is the one who is making helpful decisions and not only assigning responsibility, but taking responsibility as well. A good leader leads by example.

It is important not to undervalue the father’s role in parenting. With firmness and discipline the father works with the mother nurturing to help his family to become self confident as they grow and lead productive lives.

By: Shevach Pepper