It’s surely true as various billboards around town are proclaiming these days: “Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.”
A “Wyoming Marriage and Family News” flyer that recently came across our desk lists the following “7 tips for Dads.”
Each tip had a lengthy paragraph on the thought. We’ll reprint here just a sentence or two from that elaboration….
- Find the time – Do not underestimate how much your children need you….
- Be aware of your kids’ lives – Learn what your kids need emotionally, physically, and financially….
- Treat your children as capable – Childhood is full of many “failed attempts.” Treat your children based on their potential….
- Hug your child – Children gain great confidence and security from knowing they are accepted and highly valued for who they are….
- Eat together – Sharing a meal provides structure that kids can count on and also serves as a natural connecting point for conversation….
- Respect your child’s mother – Showing respect and kindness toward your children’s mother is one of the most powerful statements you can make to your kids….
- Say ‘I love you.’ – ‘I love you’ spoken sincerely and backed up by your behavior demonstrates support, encouragement, tenderness, and caring as much as anything else you may do for your children….
May this pastor add a #8?
Lead your children (family) in home devotions – Thus the husband/father exercises his God-given role as “priest” in the family in keeping with the Lord’s word: “And you fathers…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). It’s never been more important—urgent!—than in our day that children learn of God, His Word and ways, from the Bible! And would not this #8 include attending church—worshiping—with your children?
And how about a #9:
Do not hesitate to discipline your kids – Sometimes ‘tough love’ is necessary to help children be trained in the admonition of the Lord. Contrary to the humanistic philosophy which shuns any kind of corporal discipline, the saying “spare the rod and spoil the child” has a Bible basis (see Proverbs 22:6, 13:24 etc.)
And we would top off these good points with a #10:
Pray – Daily invoke God’s guidance both for yourself and for your children.