Any Man Can Be a Father . . .

“. . . but it takes a special person to be a Dad!” – Unknown

It was a quiet Saturday morning, and Ken was home.  He loved the refuge of this place.  He’d brought some work to finish from the office and went off to the study to be alone.  He needed some quiet time after a hectic week.

His seclusion ended abruptly!  Carrie, his daughter came into the room crying.  Someone had broken her new doll.  Ken hugged her and told her not to worry: he’d fix her doll.  She thanked her Daddy with an approving smile and skipped cheerfully out of the room.

Next Joey came in.  He needed a ‘loan’ to buy a new video game; his buddy owned the game and had already reached ‘super hero’ status.  Joey would soon fall behind in the battle of video game superiority among his pals.  Ken took time to explain to his son that he’d already received his weekly allowance two days ago with the understanding that it was for such ‘necessities.’

The revolving door to his study continued to turn.  His teenage daughter came in next.  She wanted a new dress for the coming dance.  Ken told her that she’d have to wait; if she saved as much as she could herself, he’d help with the rest.

A teenage son interrupted next.  The boy needed help with a homework problem.  Ken gave him some suggestions, careful not to work the problem for him.  A few minutes later, his son returned to say, “Thanks for the idea you gave me.  It worked!”

Finally, the only child he hadn’t seen yet this morning - the youngest dashed in.  Ken looked down at her and asked kindly, “What do you want, munchkin?”

“I don’t want anything,” the sweet little girl answered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I just wanted to be with you.”

Remember the saying, "Monkey see - monkey do."  That’s how parenting works most of the time!  Children mimic the people around them without considering the outcomes.  It’s all they know.

Influencing your children requires that you have a caring relationship with them.  Like Ken.

They have to feel that they can bring any problem to you and feel safe about sharing their doubts and fears.  More importantly, children have to respect the way you live and treat others.

As parents, we need to be honest and admit when we’re wrong.  Children will listen to what you say . . . but they will believe what you do!  Lead by example.  Live your life setting a solid framework of values and ideals for your children to follow.

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for my Daddy showed me so.” 

Papa, all fathers are not always present physically or emotionally.  But we know that we can always count on you – that you love us completely and always have time to listen no matter when or for what reason.  Thank you!