Tuesday, August 7, 2012

30 Important things To Do As A Father

I came across this list recently, and I thought it would be a good reminder for us as fathers.  It's sort of a good checklist or measuring stick to see how engaged you are with your kids.  Tell me what you think of the list, and then let me know if there are any you would add in the comments section below the post.

30 Important Things You Should Do As a Father 

by Mark Brandenberg

 In the chaos of modern life, it's easy to lose sight of many of the important things you can do as a father. Here's a list of some of the more important ones:

 1. Leave something for them - a letter to them, some reflections on their childhood 
 2. Understand family systems 
 3. Tell them your stories 
 4. Have rituals in your family 
 5. Teach them your values 
 6. Avoid the bad mistakes - anger is often a culprit 
 7. Know the stages of your child's growth 
 8. Be playful with them, even when they're older 
 9. Know your child's life intimately 
 10. Treat your wife very well 
 11. Be physical with them - hugs, wrestle 
 12. Do nothing with them 
 13. Know the fundamental errors we make with boys and girls 
 14. Take care of your life 
 15. Get them involved in activities 
 16. Be accepting of all of them 
 17. Make connections - family and friends 
 18. Yes, tell them you love them 
 19. Learn how to process events 
 20. Teach them how to do one thing really well 
 21. Push them to do things, but gently and at their pace 
 22. Notice the beauty in life, closely 
 23. Teach them they're not alone - worship 
 24. Understand that they're going to have big emotions 
 25. Be involved in their schoolwork 
 26. Listen, don't preach - they'll come to you 
 27. Learn the art of closing your mouth 
 28. Teach them about what you do 
 29. Have them do chores 
 30. See them as great, always. 

 Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches men to be better fathers and husbands. He is the author of "25 Secrets of Emotionally Intelligent Fathers" http://www.markbrandenburg.com/father.htm

Sign up for his FREE bi-weekly newsletter, "Dads, Don't Fix Your Kids," at http://www.markbrandenburg.com.

What do you think about this list?  Are there any important things that you would add?

8 comments:

  1. He forgot one of the more important ones: Broccoli.

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  2. Don't tell the kids!

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  3. I love these kinds of things... sound so simple, but its the simple things we overlook while "so busy." Great reminders.

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  4. Great things to remember or try to do for your kids! They grow up so quickly it's easy to forget how important it is to remember things we should, need and want to do for them. I know for my son I have written letters that I give him on his birthday and have written far enough ahead for various major life events (such as the birth of his first child) I do it out of love and because life is never certain and I would rather have some written record as part of my "bucket list" for him.

    Aaron

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  5. Very true. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Thanks. I can't take credit for it. I just found it out there on the interwebs.

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  7. Great idea! And I will definitely guest post for you on your new feature.

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