Parenting: Is it Possible to Be a Good Father?

It seems that so many things are standing between a father and his children. Good fathers are needed now more than ever in today's society. So many of society's issues can be laid at the feet of a missing, distant, unloving, absent, or careless father. Father's rights groups claim to have all the answers, but being a good father in this world is not easy. Men need to draw a line in the sand, set some standards, and step up to do the hard things for their kids. One of the hardest is simply being a good dad. How can a man be a good dad? Read on.

Support and Love for Mom is Vital

Families were created to provide support for one another. The primary relationship in the family is between mom and dad, husband and wife. When this relationship is right, families thrive. All you have to do is look around at other families, or maybe even your own family, and you'll see the best families usually have a strong mom and dad who really love one another. That lasting, loving relationship is a rarity in today's "throw-away" world. A man can be a fantastic dad if he supports, and in turn, has the support of a loving wife. This relationship provides the template for all of the children's future relationships. It's important to get it right. Even if the parents are divorced, the kids still need to see a civil, friendly relationship between parents. After all, we're all adults here and we can still act like adults, right?

Good Fathers Provide Emotional Support

OK, so it seems that the old John Wayne model is out of style and has been traded in for the more sensitive man. That's OK. Yes, dad's need to be tough and able to hold the line in certain aspects of parenting. But dad's also need to learn to be sensitive, to provide a loving, accepting atmosphere where children can feel safe enough to open up and share anything. There is no kid more secure and outgoing than the kid who knows that no matter what happens, he or she can always count on the emotional support of a loving father. If you are a dad who has daughters, then this goes double for you.

Providing Financial Support

Money does indeed make the world go around. Kids are just that-kids. Their job as kids is to learn about life, attend school, make friends, do things with those friends, build relationships, and generally have fun. Kids have enough to feel insecure about these days. The last thing kids need to worry about is money. Good dads provide for their families, they don't abandon those families, or make excuses for not supporting those families financially. Good dads do what it takes to make sure they provide the best for their families. Period.

So many aspects go into making a good dad. It's a simple thing to be a good dad, but it may not always be the easy thing. Make things right with your wife, get that primary relationship in good shape. Then start doing the work of being the best dad you can be. Michael Lamb, known for his studies on fatherhood, stated that "...the warmer, the richer, the more supportive the relationship he has with the mother, the better that child is able to be a supportive and loving father for the child."

Sources:

Parenting News Network; "Want To Be A Good Dad? Support Mom And Avoid Father's Rights Groups"

Livestrong.com; "How to Be a Good Dad & Husband"