Being A Good Dad

Being a good dad 

(Part 1)

Emily asked me to write about being a good dad. As I only have 2 kids who are both under 3, I don't think there is enough evidence to say whether I am good or not, but I'll try to share some things I have picked up in my short time. 

Becoming a dad is very easy. The most idiotic people can do it. To quote Keanu Reeves in 'Parenthood'

''You need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car - hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father."

It's very true. Any man can be a dad, but not anyone can be a good parent. It requires time with your kids in which they learn to respect you, look up to you & are obedient to your decisions. You can have a lot of fun together but they must know that you are the boss. This is the line that gets confused by a lot of parents. They never get the balance right. A woman down our street just shouts at her daughter all the time. How is the girl to know when she is doing something wrong when all she hears is one aggressive tone? On the other hand some parents try to be the child's friend before their parent & wonder why they aren't obedient.

As parents, Emily & I are quite different. She has a very hard line & I am fun dad! Fundamentally though, we have the same goals & rules, just presented to our children differently but consistently. We both want fun, interested, kind, happy & polite children. So far, we are really happy with what we & they have achieved. Raphael is a loving, polite, cheeky little man & Etta smiles from ear to ear for 10 hours a day. 

Our life with the children is very much based on routine, but with room to breathe. Church on Sunday is a very important part of our routine. I think this is one of the best ways for children to learn respect for faith, different people & knowing when there is a need to be quiet & calm.  Raph loves church as he gets to see friends & family & have the obligatory 'tea & biscuits' & run around after church in the parish centre. 

Books & prayers at bedtime is equally important. This is time when you can bond & be grateful for each other & for the very lucky lives that we lead.

This is how I parent. With love.