As you close the door to you child’s room for the third time in an hour you wonder if you were to harsh in telling them to go to sleep. One time you forgot to hug your child while rushing out to beat traffic. The list of our failures as fathers is long in our minds. Why do we dwell on our mistakes? Why is it when we close our eyes at night we’re not reminded of the pride in taking training wheels off bikes and fun games of chase in the back yard. As parents we get down on ourselves. But not to worry, you are still a great dad.
As we approach Father’s Day, don’t get down on yourself guys, here are five reasons that you’re a great dad.
You Care
This may seem like an obvious trait in a father, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have a caring father in their lives. Your style may be all your own, but the fact that you show personal interest in your children is a quality some men lack. Continue be be apart of your children’s lives and show them in your own way that you care about who they are now and what kind of strong adults they will become.
Your Family is Number One
Your man cave is the envy of the block. Your Harley-Davidson looks better than it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. And your season tickets for the Green Bay Packers just arrived in the mail. Wait, what? You don’t have those things? Your man cave is a playroom, your Harley is a minivan and your Sunday afternoons are for little league practice. That’s because your family comes first and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
You say "I love you"
Most of us tell our families that we love them without saying a word. While your wife may pick up on that, kids need to hear the words to fully understand it. Kids aren’t mature enough to understand that working an extra shift to earn money for music lessons is an act of love. That’s why it’s so important when you say, “I love you”. That verbal affirmation of love means the world to them.
You Protect Your Family
You are your family’s protector. It’s on you to keep your family safe and secure. You protect them everyday when you buckle them into their car seat, when you teach them how to drive and even when you tell your teenager that they can’t go to the most important party of her life. Not all protection is deadbolts and alarms. Continue to secure your home with a layered home defense and be prepared to defend your family so that those you love can sleep easy knowing you’re protecting them.
You Are a Leader
In the big moments in your children’s lives, you’ve stepped in with wisdom and compassion. That’s because you are a father and a leader. You lead by knowing when to hug, when to listen and when to discipline. But an overlooked way you lead your children is in the everyday moments of life, that’s the Subtle Art of Fatherhood. Lead your children morally, socially and most importantly spiritually. Give them the foundation they need to understand our Heavenly Father’s love for us.
Enjoy father’s day this weekend. Don’t beat yourself up over one mistake made. Embrace your family and be thankful for all the things that go right. For more ways to be secure as a father and secure in your home, stay up to date with The Secure Dad.
If you're looking for ways to engage your children, make sure to check out 10 Ways to Connect with your Kids.
