How to Be the Best Father in 4 Steps

By Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock

Years ago in Western lands, many homes had a treasured ritual. The whole family gathered around a table, at least once a day, to have a meal.
No interruptions were allowed. Nobody watched television, wore earphones, or sent text messages to friends.
A peaceful environment provided an opportunity for those present to absorb wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and laugh together over daily happenings while enjoying nourishing food.

However, the following ways give rise to a great father in the family.

a. Spend time with Your Family

Family meals and time out give children emotional stability and help them live a more balanced, healthy life. It presents the occasion to listen to the children’s’ needs and problems.
Apparently, such times help the parents teach the kids proper eating habits and avoid eating disorders.
Whenever the family eats together, the children develop a sense of belonging in an emotionally secured, warm and loving environment.

Spending time with the children presents the opportunity to discover the values, interests, emotional needs, weaknesses and strengths of the children. It is an occasion to inculcate desirable ethical and spiritual values in the kids.
Adopt a time table as best as you can on how to spend time with your family within each month.
Adjust your job schedule in order to be home before your children sleeps. Where your work schedule permits, ensure they see you in the morning before you zoom out.

b. Converse with Your child

My parents are my best friend because they are eager and willing to my needs, worries, challenges and plans. During my university days, my Dad went to bed around 1 a.m while we were discussing whenever I visit home.
Children can learn to talk and listen attentively through quality time of conversation.
It enriches their vocabulary and teaches them how to express their views, manage their anger and grievances.

c. Live by Example

Parents cannot afford to be “follow my word and not my way of life” to the children. Every father is expected to be the role model for the children. They can learn destructive habits from the parents through childhood programming. You can’t be a wife fighter or child bully or alcoholic and expect the opposite from the children.

d. Instruct and Discipline Your Child with Love

The opinion the child has about his worth depends largely on parental upbringing and relationship. Children who grow up in families with unhealthy parental relationship usually experience emotional trauma which may affect adversely the adult life.
Avoid intimidating and using foul language or coarse words on your children. Don’t spare the rod and spoil the child. Don’t destroy the child while correcting him.
Avoid maltreating the child. Manager your anger while disciplining your child.