How To Be a Great Dad

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Fatherhood is a lifelong commitment and kids with great dads are indeed fortunate. Not all great dads are rich or famous, they don’t necessarily have more time or more talent than other men, but they do have a few things in common.

Step 1:

Be responsible. Kids need to feel safe and secure, and one of the best ways for men to make their children feel secure is to be steady and consistent. Children do best when they know that they have a solid base, so it’s important for fathers (and mothers, too!) to create an environment of dependability.

Step 2:

Have some fun. Playfulness is contagious and great dads know that fun is a bonding experience. From tickling toddlers just to make them giggle to rockin’ with teens to their favorite music, great dads aren’t afraid to have fun and be silly.

Step 3:

Be a cheerleader. Great dads take an active interest in their kids’ lives and make time to be there to share their children’s important moments.

Step 4:

Find common ground. Over the course of childhood, kids may go through stages when they feel as though they have nothing in common with their parents. Great dads find ways to relate to their kids, even during the tough times. Sharing stories about your own struggles can help kids to view their dads as more than just bill-payers and disciplinarians.

Step 5:

Make every day matter. It’s not just the big moments, but the little ones that make memories. Great dads look for every day ways to connect with their kids. Even with today’s busy lifestyles, great dads take the time to make their children a priority. Playing together and sharing meals offer great opportunities for fathers to bond with their kids.

Step 6:

Accept and celebrate your children’s individuality. Kids are unique individuals, each with his own strengths and challenges. Great dads not only accept their children’s distinctive qualities, but express pride in their kids’ gifts.

Step 7:

Lend a willing ear. Some adults minimize the feelings of children, assuming that their worries are unimportant. While childhood concerns may pale in comparison to adult problems, great dads know that to the kids, these issues matter. Great dads listen to their children and try to find ways to help their kids work through their problems.

Step 8:

Express yourself. Great dads are emotionally available to their children and are not afraid to express their love freely. Kids of all ages need to know that their fathers love and value them.

Step 9:

Choose respectful discipline. Kids don’t come into the world understanding how to behave, so it is the responsibility of their parents to teach them. Great dads provide firm, yet kind guidance.

Step 10:

Set a good example. Children learn in a number of ways, but the lessons that matter most are those that they get by observing the people closest to them. Great dads strive to provide their children with good examples of appropriate and ethical behavior.

Fathers have an enormous impact on their children’s development. Absentee or uninvolved fathers not only let their children down, but they cheat themselves out of loving relationships. Great dads, on the other hand, give their kids the gift of lifelong love, which is often returned with interest.

About this Author:
By Elizabeth Grace
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Comments

Wonderful article -- there are so many ways a dad can be great including being the person you can bounce ideas off of as you get older. My dad was my financial mentor as I organized and started a company. He was supportive and always there with helpful hints and suggestions -- maybe that's being the cheerleader you mentioned.

By Marion Cornett 16 weeks 11 hours

Great article! I am glad to see it written so well!

By Amanda Carter 15 weeks 5 days

Great article. I think you truly hit the nail on the head. When my son was born, I stayed home with him and then my daughter as well. Although my wife and I had to work opposite schedules for 6 years, the results I see in my children is mind blowing. We chose to take a financial hit when they were born in order to have complete supervision over their development and to provide guidance and security that I feel endures to this day.

Being a dad is the most important thing I've ever done and also the one thing that has grounded me and guided me in every choice I've made henceforth. I wouldn't trade any of it... Ever.

By Terence Van Essendelft 14 weeks 3 days

Marion -- it sounds like you are lucky to have such a wonderful dad!

Amanda -- Thanks for your nice comment. :O)

Terence -- Taking the time to truly nurture children makes all the difference in the world. I love hearing from parents who feel blessed to be raising their kids! Thank you for your thoughtful comment! :O)