fathers day 2015.....what u learned

Fathers day is coming....so what did u learn from him...and what being a father taught you?

 

Good list to start with below...especially 3,4,and 5.

1. Put their interests first, always. Do you enjoy drinking or smoking? Guess what — it’s not good for them, and you’re setting an example with everything you do. I quit smoking about 18 months ago not for my sake, but for my kids. Now, it is still important to take care of yourself (otherwise you can’t take care of them), but you should still have them in mind.
2. Protect them. As a dad, one of your main roles is protector. There are many ways you need to do this. Safety is one: child-proof your home, teach them good safety habits, set a good example by using your seatbelt, make sure they use a car seat if below a certain age & weight, etc. But financial protection is also important: have life insurance, car insurance, an emergency fund, a will.
3. Spend your spare time with them. When we get home from work, often we’re tired and just want to relax. But this is the only time we have with them during the weekdays, often, and you shouldn’t waste it. Take this time to find out about their day, lay on the couch with them. On weekends, devote as much time as possible to them. While work may be your passion, it won’t be long before they’re grown and no longer want to spend time with you. Take advantage of these years. The thing kids want most from their dads is their time.
4. Give them hugs. Dads shouldn’t be afraid to show affection. Kids need physical contact, and not just from their moms. Snuggle with them, hug them, love them.
5. Play with them. Go outside and play sports. Do a treasure hunt. Have a pillow fight. Play Transformers or Pokemon with them. Don’t just watch TV. Show them how to have fun. See 100 Ways to Have Fun with Your Kids for Free or Cheap.
6. Do the “mom” stuff. Things that are traditionally considered “mom” duties are not just for moms anymore — changing diapers, feeding, bathing, rocking them to sleep in the middle of the night. Dads should help out as much as they can, sharing these types of duties equally if possible. And in fact, if you’re a dad of a baby, this is the perfect time to bond with your child. You should leap at the chance to do these things, because that’s how you start a life-long close relationship with your child.
7. Read to them. This is one of the most important things you can do for your child. First of all, it’s so much fun. Kids books are really cool, and it’s great when you can share something this wonderful with your child. Second, you are teaching them one of the most fundamentally important skills (reading) that will pay off dividends for life. And third, you are spending time with them, you’re sitting or lying close together, and you are enjoying each other’s company. See the Best All-Time Children’s Books.
8. Stand by mom. Don’t contradict their mother in front of them, don’t fight with her in front of them, and most definitely don’t ever abuse her. How you treat their mother affects their self-esteem, and the way they will treat themselves and women when they grow up. Be kind and respectful and loving of their mother. And always work as a team — never contradicting statements of the other.
9. Teach them self-esteem. Maybe this should be No. 1. Well, these aren’t in any order, but this is one of the most important points. There is nothing you can do that is better than giving them high self-esteem. How do you do this? A million ways, but mainly by showing them (not telling them) that you value them, by spending time with them, by talking and listening to them, by praising things they do, by teaching them (not telling them) how to be competent. Praise and encourage, don’t reprimand and discourage.
10. Teach them about finances. This is a point often missed in articles about dadhood. You might not need to teach your 1-year-old about index funds or portfolio diversity, but from an early age, you can teach them the value of money, how to save money to reach a goal, and later, how earn money and how to manage money properly. You don’t want your child to go into the world knowing as little as you did, do you?
11. Be good to yourself. You shouldn’t give up your entire life when you become a dad. You need to take care of yourself, give yourself some alone time, and some time with your buddies, in order to be a great dad when you’re with your kids. Also take care of your health — eat healthy, exercise — because 1) you can’t take care of your kids if you’re sickly, 2) you are teaching your kids how to be healthy for life, and 3) you want to enjoy those grandkids someday.
12. Be good to the mom. This isn’t the same as No. 8 — you should be good to their mom even when they’re not looking. Take her to dinner, give her a massage, do chores around the house for her, give her some time alone and babysit while she goes out, show affection to her, give her little surprises. Because when mom’s happy, the kids are happy. And dad will be happy too!

 

Nailed it.

 

This was good

 

Some times i wonder do i praise her too much...

 

Is it genuine and natural? If so, then you're good.

It's the ones who are going on and on praising them for bullshit fake stuff. The kids see right through that anyway.

 

Yeah no doubt....i guess when u arent in the home...u overcompensate

 

yah You have to watch that. I'm seeing several friends kids coming of age and the good and bad that comes with the overcompensating parent, those who parented out of guilt, and so forth.

Unfortunately too there are lots of parents who go around telling everyone else how great their kids are but they don't really tell (or more importantly SHOW) their children.

From things you say on here, it sounds like she knows her daddy really loves her and she knows she's very important to you. Little girls need to grow up knowing that.

 

I cant disagree with anything u stayed. You are spot on.

You dont want them overinflated for sure.

What i try to do is let her know im proud of her that dhe listens to her mom. Like loki stated u want to present a united front. My wife tries to tell me all the good and bad.

 

Great list, Loki.

 

My dad was unconventional... Jockey, merchant marine...listened to shortwave radio, mostly music from other countries such as Turkey etc he was fascinated by other cultures and made us kidsnfacinated as well. He taught me diversity, acceptance, hunger for knowledge and most of all, love yourself. He was a jokester and I learned that from him as well. Appreciation of art and music.... And oddly enough, one thing I apparently took to heart is "FG, never get married"......

 

He sound awesome

 

Took pictures of old pictures of my dad yesterday these pretty much sums him up. Always up for goofiness. But, he never had a problem disciplining, he only needed to give you his death state and all children would freeze were they were.

When I got older, he would visit me when I had parties and my friends would flock to him, hecwascso much fun. Of course hecwould quietly dissapear at the right time. Missing him loads ATM, he was my best friend. Really. I could sit and talk to him about everything until the sun came up. Ndcwhen I decided to to USA to go to grad school, he was the only one that excitedly, encouraged me to go get it

 

I hope my daughter would say the same about me.
That sounds awesome

 

I bet she will, I bet she will... My dad was not present for a large part of my upbringing, but the moment we reconnected, it was as he was never gone. We said our peace, and let it go and we never let go of that, until his untimely death. Make every moment you have count

 

Heart warming, that's awesome.

 

For sure.....i had nearly lost my life twice in 2014 alone and once in 2010....im thankful for every minute

 

He sounds like a great guy.