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10 Ways to be an All Pro Dad 1. Love Your Wife True love is not a feeling. It is a
decision. It’s an act of the will to be patient, kind, humble, hopeful,
giving, faithful and trusting. When you commit to loving your wife this
way, your feelings for her and hers for you will follow. Actively
loving your wife will radically strengthen your marriage and will also be
incredibly beneficial to your children. The number one source of
security for kids is to know that their dad loves their mother and is
steadfastly committed to her well-being. 2. Spend time with your children How you spend your time reflects what’s
important to you. If you value your kids, you’ll want to be with them
and you don’t need to wait for the perfect time when you can take a vacation
or an afternoon off from work. Instead, grab those small pockets of
time as they present themselves throughout the day. Call your kids on
your cell phone between appointments just to say “hi.” Send them an
e-mail from work. Read to them at bedtime. Carve out a few
minutes to help with homework. Go to breakfast and drop them off at
school. Grab every moment you can get with your children. 3. Be a Role Model It’s impossible to underestimate the
importance of a father modeling the type of behavior he desires to see in his
children. Role models don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk of
an honorable man. A great place to start is
consistency. Do you keep your word? Do you stand up for what is
right even when it costs you? Are you trustworthy? Are you loyal
in your relationships? Be what you want your children to be! 4. Understand Your Children Like you, every child has unique DNA,
unique fingerprints, and a unique personality. In order to be the best
father you can be, you’ll need to understand your
children as individuals. How do your kids think? What do they
like or dislike? You’ll also want to know what your children need from
you the most. One may need encouragement. The other responds
better with affection. And this crucial understanding can only come if
you’re committed to really getting to know them. 5. Show Affection Children long for a secure place in this
fast-paced world. They find it most often in the warm embrace of a parent. As
children grow, so does their need for acceptance and sense of belonging. Such
a need is met when a father offers a hug, or a kind word, and expresses his
appreciation and love for his children. But showing affection doesn’t stop
there. Make sure to say “I love you” everyday. 6. Enjoy Your Children Have you been to a baseball game or ballet
recital recently? Some parents at these kinds of events are way too
focused on their kids achieving rather than just having fun. Push your
kids when they need to be pushed, but savor just being with them.
Wrestle on the floor with your children. Build a fort with your
son. Have a pretend tea party with your daughter. Enjoy being
with them doing what they like to do. They’ll grow up too fast and leave you
wishing you had more time with them just to hang out and have fun. 7. Eat Together As A Family Most children today don’t know the meaning
of a family dinnertime. Yet the communication and unity built during this
time is integral to a healthy family life. Sharing a meal together –
breakfast, lunch or dinner – provides structure to an often hectic schedule.
It also gives kids the opportunity to talk about their lives. This is a time
for fathers to listen, as well as give advice and encouragement. But most
importantly, it is a time to be together on a daily basis. 8. Discipline With a Gentle Spirit True discipline is a function of a
father’s love for his children, which is why it should never be hard-nosed or
harsh. Discipline’s role is not to intimidate or tear down but to mold and to
correct. Correcting your kids should be done in private and you and
your wife should be unified in how you will discipline. Strive to be
consistent. 9. Pray and Worship Together Families that have a healthy prayer life
and take worshipping God seriously help their children to understand that
there is an ultimate authority in their lives – an authority who provides moral absolutes for them to live by.
Every child needs to know that there is a right and wrong, good and
evil. Living under the authority of God will give them that knowledge. 10. Realize You’re a Father Forever Some day every father must let go of the
youthful activities that bond him with his children. But a good father
realizes that as he allows his children their freedom to direct their own
lives, he doesn’t abandon them at a dorm room, a wedding altar, or the door
of their first job. He continues to encourage, coach and convey his
wisdom to his children forever. |
"We
believe that every child needs a dad they can count on.
Children
thrive when they have an involved father – someone who loves them,
knows
them, guides them and helps them achieve their destiny."
Want to participate in fun father/child activities while
strengthening your relationship? Come on out to an All Pro Dad event and meet
some other dads and kids to have fun with. We’ll hear from some
great speakers about healthy family living, watch some really cool videos and
play some really fun, interactive games.
In the summer time we go camping and fishing, and in the winter time
we’ll go skiing and snowboarding. We
meet at Ptarmigan Elementary School (888 Edward Street) from 6:30 to 7:30 on the Third Tuesday
of the Month. Some days will be
open-ended. We hope to see you there!
Contact
the team's captain, Jaye Keener