Fathers Day Tip: How to Be the Best Father

To be the best you can be means you have to simply do it. Virtually every father knows when they are not doing well by their children. Your conscience should guide you. All of the things that are intuitive have to be made the highest priority. The difficulty lies in having the discipline to follow through on these intuitions.

Good examples of these fatherly intuitions are being a provider, listening to your children, taking interest in their activities and carrying yourself as a man. Being a man does not mean trying to one up everyone all the time or never admitting faults or mistakes. It is to know that just as there are no perfect children there are no perfect fathers. You can have three children who all have different needs and different things that motivate them to be the best they can be. Too many fathers let their egos get in the way, particularly when it comes to raising a son. Some boys may be too sensitive to react positively to angry criticism. Most fathers are keen enough to recognize that something is not working, now is the point that you must try something else, maybe a bit of positive reinforcement before pointing out something that they could be doing better. Egos can also get in the way when it comes with cooperating with a child's mother. A man must also take an honest account of any disagreement he may have with the mother. Though after doing this he may still disagree, he needs to be honest with himself about it and not just take a hard line because he can.

Not every father will have the exact same intuitions when it comes to specific issues. This is fine, because, along with different genes, it is why not all humans behave in the same manner and have the exact same values. It may be in the conscience of one father that his children be encouraged to go to a Catholic Church and follow the doctrines as strictly as possible. Another father may see fit that the child grow up learning their parents' values and allowing the child to make their own decisions about religion when they feel they are ready. Neither way is right or wrong. The key goes back to the basic human values or intuitions that every father should have. Be there for your children, try to understand them, and adapt your parenting style to the individual child. When you feel as though you are doing something wrong, take a look at the issue closely and correct it if need be. We all know children need guidance, love, encouragement, and discipline. Though there are no perfect fathers there are those who give their best effort to be. This is another form of perfection in and of itself.