Can you say you are the type of father your children are proud of? Are you a figure that is strong and influential over your children? Do you stand tall in character, good morals and place your family above all else?
The wisest person who has ever existed once said that the glory of the son is his father. We all have childhood memories of our fathers. Some of us have wonderful growing up memories while others, unluckily, got painful memories that built wounds in our hearts; be it deliberately or not. No matter what your experience was, you can always create a better experience for your children and become one of the most endearing fathers on the face of this planet.
You got the best motivations for you to strive to be that father—your children. In fact, your children deserve to have a superb father; a good provider, a strong mentor, a superior protector and educator. Don’t live in the past if you have not been a successful father up to this point; you can change all that starting now! Whatever bad childhood experiences you’ve endured is all in the pass and should not get in the way of being a great father to your children.
Don’t you think it’s the right time to be happy and make things new? Why not create a happy and successful family which all starts from the heart and soul of the family—you! Enjoy the role and every opportunity of being a father—after all, isn’t this the measure of a real man?
10 Traits of a Great Father
- A father is a personal being. Children need someone they can talk with, trust, and relate to. Fathers must be able to express their inward feelings in a healthy, balanced way so that their children alike will learn how to convey their emotions as they go forward.
- A father helps in doing household tasks. A father takes initiative and pities on his wife as well as his children, and helps both around the house’s work. If the mom’s work has not yet been done, why should a father’s day end at sunset? Fathers who have raised lazy, selfish children often have set similar examples. Children would rather see a sermon rather than hear one any day. Remember, the family that works together stays together!
- A father helps children with their schoolwork. A father can barely expect A’s on his children’s report cards if he has not contributed anything but finances to the education of his children. It’s a wonderful opportunity homework offers for fathers and children to work together. This effort shows kids love and dedication and in turn earns a father respect and admiration from his children.
- A father spends prime time alone with his wife. Good husbands are inclined to be good fathers. Someone has said that the greatest thing a father can do and give to his children is to love their mom. But how frequently do children watch their father opposing, criticizing, and belittling their mom? When a husband and a wife become protected in each other’s love, both can simultaneously do a much better job called “parenting.” After all, how can children learn to strive for a happy marriage when they have never seen one?
- A father limits too much spending on “Father’s toys”—guns, golf, cars etc. Many fathers are apt to protect their personal expensive purchases while at the same time saying to the kids and mom, “We can’t afford that; there are better things you can use the money towards!” They will understand the latter fact if the father doesn’t act as if he has his own money bank. A family budget with set considerable amounts of personal spending money will help resolve this dilemma.
- A father takes a supportive and an active role in imposing discipline to the children. Moms who threaten their children, “Wait till your Father gets home,” often find their counterpart in fathers who leave all discipline to mom. When two parents do not work together on discipline, children will tend to play one parent in opposition to the other leading to a civil war. Children do need tough love. To impose discipline and correction is not to be baffled with punishment. Correction is like mentoring or coaching that translates into concern and love.
- A father curtails criticism but make the most of encouragement for family members. Most people practice nitpicking at others rather than encouraging them to do better. Rather than joining the nitpicking, a good father guides and encourages all in the home to do better. A father offers guidance, words of wisdom and aids in making better decisions.
- A father stands true to set principles and values. Regardless of enticements that may come, never compromise. Children need a father who sticks to his principles and values. Stick with your standards to avoid confusion on the part of your children. Don’t tell your children that smoking is bad if you smoke a pack a day!
- A father is a provider for the whole family. Every true father has the desire to give almost every good thing to his children because it delights his heart to see his children smile when receiving gifts. Being a provider doesn’t limit on materials and financial matters alone, but includes other important factors such as love and spirituality. A father models his young kids to be responsible by being a hard worker and earning enough for the family.
- A father takes pride of his children. Children need great affirmations and acceptance; they need to know that their father is proud of them. Children feel unbeatable when their father expresses outwardly how proud he is of them. Being proud is directly saying to your children how wonderful they are, and saying how good you feel about them to other members of the family as well as to other people.
Above all else, a great father loves his kids with all his heart and soul unconditionally. When they err, a great father separates the action from his children. No child is ever bad. What they did may have been wrong, but they are not what they do. Make sure that they know that it’s their actions you don't like, but you love them just the same as ever. Give daily time to love your kids—they are WORTH it!
