It can be said that any man who procreates is a father, whether present in that child's life or not. While this is technically true, it really takes a man to be a dad!
There is nothing more insulting than a cavalier man thinking he has every right in the world to see the child he helped to create, but was never there for him or her. It is as if he or she is obligated to him like that of a debt.
As a child of a broken home and now as a father myself, I know the purest definition of being a dad is the time spent with your child that will always prevail in the end.
Would you remember your father more if he was a millionaire but never there, or a near-penniless man who spent time with you and showed you the love you needed?
To me, it's a no brainer!
However, many dynamics can and do interfere with being a dad. Turmoil-ridden marriages, separations, relocations, resentment from the child, and the ever-abundant brainwashing of a child to hate.
So if you're a father doing his best to be a dad, how do you overcome such obstacles?
Do everything in your power to maintain the bond you have with your child! If that means following that child to Timbuktu and lose your career, getting on better terms with the child's mother, or simply putting more time into strengthening the father-child relationship.
If there is anything I can take from my own father, is that of sporadic appearances and child support from over 2000 miles away never satisfied my need for a dad. Today, as a 32 yr. old man, it has never been so evident how important a dad is in a child's life. My humble opinion is that I would have had a lot less security issues had a dad been present in my childhood.
When your child was created, that little person should have been the most important part of your existence and to vow never to break that mindset should have been paramount. The seriousness of having a child from the conception and subsequently recognizing his or her importance could be the factor with dead beat dads in most cases.
How do you rank your values?
Simply put, if you're ranked above your child, you're not being a dad, you're the father of that child who simply donated your sperm for his or her life.
Instead of just being a donor to another's life, commit to taking the time to know your child and let them get to know you no matter what the conditions.
With this in mind, you will be doing the most important job of your life and that is helping the life you created become a loving, well adjusted person who can pass these parenting traits down to the next generation.
After all, isn't that what being a dad is all about?
by Brian Maloney-ValuePrep.com
Want to improve your personal values? Get high-quality relationship advice for guys and women from a 'Logical' standpoint.
Visit valueprep - relationship advice
**Attn Ezine editors / Site Owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
In the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo's father, Marlyn asks the... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
In school, kids are encouraged to create, draw, color, paint... Read More
"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More
Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
When planning a child birthday party, just a little bit... Read More
1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
My son is 6 yrs old. He came home the... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
I never dreamed that I would be in a position... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the phrase that is... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
Parenting |