Today is a day dedicated to appreciating our Fathers. I want to tell you about my girls’ father. Here are ten reasons why they are lucky to have him in their lives.
- He is a great teacher. He teaches by example, but is not afraid of being the disciplinarian. He gives them expectations, sets boundaries and enforces consequences.
- He lets them fail, and they learn from their mistakes.
- He recognizes this too shall pass. He has constantly reassured me that whatever it is, it is just a phase. They will learn to do what is best. He has confidence in them and they know it.
- Because his father died when he was six months old, and his mother died when he was 13, he knows what is important and does not take anything for granted. He wants them to learn to be independent while also knowing we are here to help them succeed.
- He has always put his family first, and we know it.
- He is the person they call when things go wrong. He has the best advice. He is the safety net when needed and he does this with patience and kindness.
- He has always been good to me, and the girls see this as a role model for their own lives.
- He has always challenged them. Our family meals can often be a time to debate on all kinds of issues, but his goal is that they grow and learn. He knows they can stand up for themselves.
- When they were little we made college a priority, it was never going to be optional. It was expected. It began with both of us reading to them, and then with them every night. Every single night.
- He spends time with them. Not just quality time, but lots of time. We do fun things, and not fun things. He loves them unconditionally. He takes the long view for all of us and we are all better off for it.
He is the best of men, the best of husbands, and the best of fathers.
25 scientific ways your childhood influences your success as an adult read this
To learn about the effects of a father’s absence and the effect on his daughter read this
(Aspiring to be a) Joy Spreader
