All family men want to be the best possible husbands and fathers they can be. Here are five great ways to do it.
Taking Care of Yourself
If you are no longer there, you will not be able to protect your children. If you are still alive but in a hospital bed or a wheelchair, it is they who will have to take care of you, regardless of whether this is what you want.
Needless to say, accidents in life happen, and no matter what you do, things are sometimes out of your control. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do what’s in your power to stay healthy for yourself and your family.
If you feel sick, go to the doctor. If you are in pain, have suffered an injury, or want to improve your overall wellness, take a trip to the local chiropractor or look into massage therapy. As a father, taking care of your health is both your right and your responsibility.
A United Front
Mothers and fathers will always find areas of disagreement. They will disagree on how to raise their kids, what jobs to get, where to live, and even what to have for dinner. It is all part of what being a family means.
Still, when you are in front of your kids, you should act as a united front, one ground on teamwork, intelligence, and support. If your son asks your wife if he can go to the park with his friends and she says no, don’t undermine her decision by changing it. While at first, it may seem like something trivial and not worth considering twice, you are slowly diminishing her authority, not to mention disrespecting her.
A real man knows when to back down to a woman. He is driven by practicality and wisdom, not by pride.
Showing Genuine Interest
Many dads want their first child to be a boy. Among other things, they want to relive their own lives through them, share their advice as men, and enjoy the many activities that boys like. Because of this, sometimes it is a bit more difficult to empathize with what a little girl is fond of or what she is passionate about. And while this is more than understandable, you should at least give it a try.
When you love someone with honesty, you show genuine interest in what they share with you, irrespective of whether you like it or not. Whether it’s your boy or your girl, if they want to show you something they did or saw, take the time to listen to them and show encouragement. This will not only make them happy, but it will also offer you the opportunity to bond with them and enhance your relationship.
Doing the Right Thing
When the right decision is the same as the popular one, it is very easy to make. For instance, if one of your children is sick and cannot to school, having him stay home is both the right choice and one that will make him happy. On the other hand, if you know your daughter is in love with an irresponsible man who will bring misery to her life, things can get quite complicated very fast.
Naturally, you want your children to love you as much as you love them. But if that means allowing them to do something wrong, then your role as a father should supersede your need and desire for affection.
At first, this might be a very difficult thing to do. But over time, your kids will realize the reason behind your choices and love and respect you even more.
You Are Their Rock
As a man, you are generally physically stronger than your wife and kids. As such, it is only fair that more should be expected of you. Even if we live at a time when feminism has taken center stage and terms like gender equality are at the forefront, there are still certain things that separate us from women. And one of the biggest ones is our physical strength.
As we mentioned before, you must take care of your health. But if it’s raining and somebody has to do the groceries for the family, and you are free, this has to be you. This is your role. The more you embrace it, the happier you will be. Also, the more meaningful and rewarding your life will become.
If you want to be a great dad, take care of yourself, support your wife, and show real interest in your children’s hobbies. Moreover, always do the right thing and be strong for your family. These tips will guide you on the path to becoming the father and husband your family deserves.
