Fatherhood has to be one of the most challenging and unpreparable jobs that a man can ever undertake in his life. It requires learning patience and the ability to put some else’s needs before his. Since the man is head of the house, he in essence molds the family in the direction that it will flow. Unfortunately, it seems that some of us have forgotten what this important role means to families and the communities in which they reside. Sometimes it more about material possessions rather than quality relationships that ganders more attention. Many times this is the beginning of the break down.
Man is an imitative creature from the time he is born, until death. He learns from watching others more than any other learning method period. He learns to walk and talk not by some book or instructions, but those in the immediate surroundings. Remember that old Gatorade commercial that said “I want to be like Mike”? I can’t tell you how many little hoppers wanted to do what he with his wagging tongue and spectacular dunks! It’s not a bad thing to want to be like someone else, especially if they are doing positive activities. So I believe that the right examples should be imitated, but who are they and why are they so few of them?
A role model is termed -someone who sets a positive example for others to follow. I would definitely say being a Father is being a role model to children, if the Father is handling his business by doing what is admirable. Both sexes need the love and example of a good Father in their lives for different reasons, but the boys especially need to know how to be a man, from watching a man. One day the little man will presumably become a father and family head! Men must realize that there is a small window of opportunity to shape the young man, but when it’s gone, it will be gone!
There is no blue print for being a perfect parent, but there are something’s that all men can do with slight variations that can help keep us on track. We can be there. The mere presence of the man in the household is paramount to growth and should not be taken for granted. It is something about a man that kids react differently to and understand better from a man than a woman. Not saying it better or worse, just in a unique way. Kids also need the balance of both parents to keep their issues in perspective. If a kids falls and scrapes his knee and runs in the house crying, his mom may cuddle him and bandage the knee up. Dad is may look at the knee and smile and say “Boy get back out there and finishing playing”. Somehow they both work but in different ways.
Another Father role is being a parent and not a friend. By this, I simply mean drawing the line. The Father will do better by now allowing his kid to be angry and blowing a fuse whenever they don’t get their way in life. Teaching kids that sometimes “NO” is alright and life will go on is a great lesson. This is a challenge to fatherhood but it pays off in the end. A friend will not disciple you in love, but your Father sure will. Again, the key phrase is discipline in love! The purpose of discipline is to help the kids to realize a false step has been taken and correction is needed immediately and the reminder will help in future decisions that are to be made.
The relationship between the Father and kids are extremely important. It has been proven that little girls will go out and look for love in inappropriate places if they don’t get it at home. Boys may grow up thinking it’s cool to disrespect mama and mistreat women because of what they saw someone else do. So if a man chooses to inculcate positive values in his kids, he has made a worthwhile investment that will pay off handsomely in his return on investments -if you will. Some great things to teach your kids include, worshiping who Jesus worshiped, saying please and thank you, getting good grades, learning a skill, becoming a good readers, learning to be proactive, understanding the Bible and many more things.
Fatherhood is bumpy roads full of uncharted territories’, but the good will out weight the challenges. A young person will always be much better off when a male is present. Being a father is one of the most important roles in life and the Bible encourages us at Proverbs 22 verse 6;
“Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it (NWT).
I am Ward
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