Hey Fathers of the world. It’s your day today. The day we honour our dads. At least those of us who have dads in our lives, and perhaps we could even narrow it further to those of us who were lucky or blessed enough to have good dads.
It’s not an easy job, most of the time. I recognize from the examples my father set and my husband is setting that it’s difficult to balance work and home. My own father was a workaholic, and my husband’s work takes him away from home for weeks at a time. But there is a huge difference between the two of them. My husband invests heavily in our kids. As much as I loved my dad, I know that this wasn’t his strong suit. He gave what he could, though, and I still admire him for that.
As a daughter who wishes she had a better relationship with her dad, can I offer some advice?
When you’re balancing life, work, and family, remember what’s important. It’s great for your kids to have a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food in their bellies. But it’s even better for them to have a father. Someone they can count on, someone they can bring their scrapes and owies to, someone they can trust to show them the way.
There is no lack of information and statistics on the importance of a healthy father figure in the lives of children. But I won’t bore you with numbers. Instead, I’d like to encourage you.
Our children are mirrors, they reflect what they see. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a perfect father, just a present, preferably interactive one.
Teach love and grace. Teach them good work ethic, how to protect those who are weaker than they are or voiceless, how to give generously. Teach them to stand up for what’s right. Teach them your strengths. Teach them to love and respect their parents. And the best way to teach your kids is to show them, model these things before their very eyes.
I know it’s not always easy. I know it’s a balancing act. And so, let me encourage mothers and wives to be supportive of our husbands. Our men need all the support they can get. Let us be their encouragers. Let us not criticize them in front of our kids. Let us show them respect and honour them.
Let there be grace for each of us where we miss the mark.
Happy Father’s Day, Dads!
