30 Important Things You Should Do As a Father
by Mark BrandenbergIn 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?
He forgot one of the more important ones: Broccoli.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell the kids!
ReplyDeleteI love these kinds of things... sound so simple, but its the simple things we overlook while "so busy." Great reminders.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteAaron
Very true. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I can't take credit for it. I just found it out there on the interwebs.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! And I will definitely guest post for you on your new feature.
ReplyDelete