qualities of a father essay

23 Qualities of a Good Father – Traits & Characteristics

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on Last updated: December 26, 2023

Categories Parenting

When I first became a Dad, I was clueless. So I decided to look into the characteristics, traits, and qualities of a good father.

The qualities of a good father include:

• Spending time actively involved with your kids
• Modeling the behavior you expect in them
• Taking ownership when you make mistakes
• Limiting their time on technology
• Treating their mother with dignity
• He practices being a good listener
• Understanding that our kids may have different opinions

But that’s only a quick snapshot. Being a dad is not an easy job. In fact, learning the qualities of a good father is a very challenging task.

Luckily, you aren’t the first dad on the block. There are a lot of great fathers out there and we can learn the description of a good father from all of them.

The trick isn’t to be perfect. But the trick is to learn from others as well as from our mistakes.

In this post, we’re diving deep into fatherhood, and specifically what the qualities of a good father are. More importantly, we’re looking at some simple ways you can implement these in your life today to be a better parent tomorrow.

So let’s review the . . .

23 Qualities of a Good Father You Probably Didn’t Know

1. be present and involved.

Just because we may be the ones providing for our family doesn’t mean that we should leave this duty exclusively to the moms. I get involved by communicating with my children.

I talk to my kids and know who their friends are, what troubles them, what are they afraid of, what they like to do, so on and so forth.

• Connect with them , talk to them and listen to them
• Have clear work/life boundaries – If you work from home, need time to yourself or have other projects needing to be done, just communicate your needs, set times for those that everyone is clear on and reconnect when you’re done
• Put the technology down and just talk with them

2. Say you’re sorry

When we take ownership of our mistakes, we’re teaching our kids to take responsibility for theirs.

Whether with our kids, or maybe with a subordinate at work there is nothing quite so powerful as apologizing for our mistakes. We all make mistakes and they know that.

But when we try and pretend we didn’t, or act like it never happened, that actually makes us look weaker in their eyes

3. Spend quality time with your family

You may be busy at work, but it’s important that you make time for your family.

When they’re older your wife and kids won’t remember you worked hard to provide for them; they’ll remember you weren’t there.

In the description of a good father, prioritizing your family and work/life balance are crucial .

Make them a priority. Create memories with your wife and children. Book a cruise, a beach holiday or simply watch a movie together at the theatre.

On a budget?  Board games, sports, hiking or other simple family activities work great.  Your kids just want to be with you. 

What you do almost doesn’t matter.

4. Take an active interest in their interests

Guess what?  I’m not a huge Katie Perry fan.  But you know how many times I’ve heard her music?  It’s well into the hundreds.

I also took my oldest daughter to see Panic! at the Disco in concert with one of her BFFs. Not exactly my scene (but I actually was impressed).

When you take an interest in your kid’s interests, you’re taking an interest in them.  You’re telling them you care about them as a person.

Nothing feels better to a kid than that!

5. Let kids develop their own interests

When I was 10 guess what?  I liked a lot of different stuff than what my Mom liked. And that’s OK.

It’s OK to influence our kid’s taste (that’s why I kept playing Star Wars movies until they clicked).

But we have to accept that our kids are going to not like everything we like.

They will like some stuff we don’t and that’s OK (as long as what they like is age-appropriate)

6. Don’t have a different set of rules for your kids than you do for yourself

No one likes a hypocrite, so why should our kids be any different?

Mean what you say and say what you mean.

Example: In our house, Sunday is “technology-free day”, so my wife and I do our best to avoid technology for personal use as well.

7. Model the behavior you expect from them

Don’t want them swearing at school?  Guess what you shouldn’t do in front of them?

Want to teach your sons to be respectful to women ?  They will model how you treat their mother. Lose your cool every time someone cuts you off in traffic?  You’re teaching them to be impatient and hot-headed.

The qualities of a good father have to include you leading by example.

8. Explain to them the “why” behind the rule

How many times have parents said “because I said so” or “because I’m your father”.

Guess what?  Those aren’t reasons (at least not good ones).

It’s crucial that kids understand why they are being grounded. Why a privilege is being taken away or even why they can’t watch Saw III.

As Dave Ramsey is fond of saying, “ to be clear is to be kind ”.

When they understand, they will be more apt to accept it. They’ll be less apt to do it again (if they were doing something wrong). And (perhaps most importantly) they will respect you more for taking the time to explain yourself and not just pull rank.

9. Give yourself a timeout when needed

When we talk to our kids in the heat of the moment we aren’t always in the best frame of mind to deal with them.

There’s NOTHING wrong with waiting to have a conversation until you are in the frame of mind to communicate effectively .

Talking to them when we are angry at best makes them yell back.

Then it escalates the whole thing.

Neither is actually listening to the other and instead just waiting their turn to talk (or yell).  At worst, it teaches our kids to be scared of us and being scared of our parents is one of the worst feelings we can have.

Being a “do as I say, not as I do” parent has no place in your description of a good father.

Want to know the 2 Best Selling Parenting Books available on Amazon Prime?

There is How Children Succeed : Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (CLICK HERE to check current prices on Amazon) by Paul Tough.

This book has almost 5 stars and 900 reviews.

This book covers “Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience, economics, and psychology, Tough shows that the qualities that matter most have less to do with IQ and more to do with character: skills like grit, curiosity, conscientiousness, and optimism.”

Then there is also The Whole-Brain Child : 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind (CLICK HERE to check current prices on Amazon) by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson.

“In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the best-selling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.”

This book also features upwards of 5 stars and over 800 reviews so you know both of these are excellent books.

Enjoy either one of them for free as an audiobook when you sign up for a free 14 day trial with Audible (click to learn more on Amazon) !

10. Set clear boundaries

We are their parents, not their friends.

That doesn’t mean we don’t love them unconditionally. And it doesn’t mean we don’t take an interest in their interests.

But at the end of the day, our most important job is to keep them safe and educate them so they can go on to be productive people in society.

Kids WANT structure.

They want guidelines and they crave the safety and security of knowing the boundaries.

Sure as they enter their teen years (or heck, sometimes their 3’s) they may test those boundaries but don’t ever doubt the need to set clear rules and boundaries.

11. Set clear expectations

As with #10, it’s important that kids clearly know what’s expected of them.  No one likes living with vague.

When we are clear (as in, “when you come home from school today I want you to clean your room before you go play and I want to see it when you’re done”) our kids know EXACTLY what they need to do .

Nothing feels better than knowing exactly what I need to do.

But within reason, give our kids the end goal and maybe a time frame but allow them the freedom to map out how they get there.

You won’t be there to micromanage their whole life, so letting them explore now sets them up for success later.

12. Protect your kids

Dads are traditionally known for their role as a protector of the family.

There are many ways to protect your kids beyond the physical;

• Having life insurance (click to read my best tips)  for yourself
• Saving for kid’s college   (click to read my guide)
• Making sure you have an emergency fund (click to read my article) in place for unexpected large expenses

13. Loving your kids doesn’t mean you have to love everything they do

I love my daughters, but if they spit, are mean to each other or otherwise do something I don’t like, I correct the behavior.

I do it because I love them.

The description of a good father has to include the strength to say no, correct inappropriate behavior and ensure their safety and well-being.

As you navigate what it means to be a parent, you may wonder at some point if there’s one “right way” to parent.

In truth, there are a lot of ways to parent , some better than others. But the Parenting Styles Preferred by Child Psychologists (click to read my article which reveals that), might surprise you!

14. Set consequences for poor choices

As with the above passages, kids have to learn that there are consequences for poor choices.

When we fail to set consequences we are setting them up for failure in life . After all, what country out there allows people to do whatever they want, whenever they want no matter who else it effects.

It’s not about beating them (figuratively) into submission, or suppressing their creativity; this is about teaching them physics.

For EVERY action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

That’s just the way the world works and failing to set consequences is not only setting them up for failure and disappointment, but it’s also just downright cruel.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting you spank kids, threaten kids, scare kids, etc.

Consequences don’t need to be scary ; they just need to be clear and they need to be the temporary loss of a privilege the child places value on.

The qualities of a good father must include sometimes laying down the law.

15. Don’t make others suffer for the sake of a “teachable moment”

We have all seen those parents. 

The ones whose kids go crazy, make a scene, yell and scream in an indoor public place. They otherwise disrupt everyone else’s day while the parent pretends not to notice and does nothing.

Guess what? 

In those situations:

• Remove your child from the situation (so they aren’t a danger to themselves or a disruption to others)
• Take them somewhere private
• Let them calm down
• Give clear instructions on what is needed before they can resume normal activities

Our decisions with our kids should not be a burden to others. And it’s not cute to let your 3-year-old run around the place yelling at top volume.

Most importantly, this teaches our kids to be respectful to others and to understand that our rights end where the next person’s begins.

16. Follow through on your promises (and if you fall short every now and then, see #2)

Kids count on us for all kinds of things from homework to coming to ballet recitals.

Is there anything more torturous than suffering through watching all the other kids do ballet while waiting for that 3-minute glimpse of yours?

When we promise our kid we will be there for something, we need to make that the top priority for the day.

Missing that school play or soccer game because something came up at work or your buddies decided to go out for a beer can ruin your kid’s experience.

It teaches them that they aren’t important to us.  Nothing feels worse than that .

So one of the most important qualities of a good father is to do what you say you will do; honor your commitments.

Ultimately being a good dad or parent just means understanding your Role of Parents in a Child’s Life (click to read my article). That role will change over time, and you won’t always get it right. But it’s crucial that we keep moving forward.

If you aren’t sure what your role is, make sure to check out my linked post above which walks you through the stuff that really matters.

17. Tell & show your kids you love them every day

Sometimes, dads are not as affectionate with their children (as Moms).

Maybe it’s a dad’s nature to show kids that they are the authority? However, dads should never fail to show their love to their kids. Hug them, they need it.

That way when life gets tough they’ll never doubt your love for them.

• I say “I love you” to my kids at least twice every day (and have since they were born) It may seem simple or obvious or redundant, but it matters.
• I don’t ever want them to doubt my love and I hope that if they are ever in trouble or maybe make some poor decisions in high school (been there, done that) that they will remember that and not be afraid to ask for help.

18. Treat your spouse (or ex) with dignity

Again, it seems obvious but it’s worth repeating.

You and your spouse (or ex) WILL argue (it happens to the best of us), but don’t do it in front of the kids.

More importantly, don’t EVER let it get physical.

Focus on describing the behavior you object to and how it makes you feel. After all, it’s the behavior you disagree with and not the person as a whole.

Avoid name-calling and profanity at all costs.

Doing these negative things could damage your kid’s self-esteem and how they view you. It would also have an effect on their relationships with the women in their lives.

So one of the qualities of a good father and spouse is to treat them the way you want to be treated.

Treat them with kindness and empathy. Be open with them and be vulnerable. Take ownership of your marital mistakes and be forgiving with theirs.

Understand that the two of you are on the same team with the same goals and while you may occasionally differ on methods, never forget you both want the same things.

Related: Top Reasons for Divorce and How You Can Avoid Them (click to read on my site)

19. Don’t use profanity in front of the kids until they are in high school

Many of us in today’s world occasionally use profanity.

Some more than others, but in most segments of society, it’s still seen as crude or rude and at best it’s unnecessary.

I get this makes me old-fashioned , but I’m OK with that label and I still believe this approach is best for the kid.

That doesn’t mean I think you’re a terrible parent if you’ve dropped the occasional F-bomb around them, but one of the qualities of a good father is putting our needs second (at least some of the time) and that includes our wanting to talk like a Tarantino script when we’re around them.

Our kids will eventually hear and possibly use a lot of curse words, but they don’t need to start young and they don’t need to learn that behavior from us.

If we teach our kids at a young age to use profanity, we’re limiting their options for the future and set them up to get in trouble in school and to be judged at work and in life.

20. Let them be a kid

This ties in with the above, but between movies, video games, and technology in general, kids are inundated with all kinds of “adult” topics and amounts of violence that simply didn’t exist when I was a kid.

The world is conspiring to rob our kids of their innocence at a young age.  We need to put in the effort to slow that down, not speed it up.

Our kids will eventually grow up and trust me; it happens faster than most of us would like.

We don’t need to speed up that process by letting a 9-year-old watch Pulp Fiction just because we think it’s awesome (which it is!).

21. Teach them about finances

Your kids will appreciate you later in life if you teach them the value of money.

At an early age, you should not spoil your children by giving them anything they want. The world isn’t kind to people who feel entitled and curbing this at an early age is key.

Teach them how to save in order to buy something they want.

This is one thing that I taught my children. Now they know to work hard when they want something.  They learn to appreciate the value of hard work and they will spend less frivolously when they’re older.

Related: 7 Top Allowance Pros and Cons (click to read my article)

22. Understand the balance of smothering/helicoptering over them and keeping them safe

We have to let kids go and sometimes that means letting them fall.

As Alfred famously says to Bruce Wayne in the awesome Batman Begins, “Why do we fall sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

If you never let them fal l, they never learn how to get back up, and once you’re no longer there to help them, that leaves them in a dangerous place. Unfortunately, such a situation is commonly seen in families whose parents think  helicopter parenting  is the best way to raise their children.

Having said the above, the description of a good father has to have clear and age-appropriate boundaries to keep them safe and healthy (physically, mentally, and otherwise).

Learning to balance between these things, knowing that we sometimes will swing too far one direction or the other, is crucial in learning how to be a good father.

Learn about all the different parenting styles (click to read my article on the worst ones), the pros, and cons including the worst ones, in one of the top parenting posts on the Middle Class Dad site.

23. Limit their time on technology

Steve Jobs may not have been a perfect father, but despite the fact that he is responsible, more than any other 1 person in recent decades, for creating a lot of technology that drives our society, he strictly limited his kid’s time on technology.

See more on that story in a great piece by the New York Times. Technology limits our ability to connect with others on a human level.

It also Affects the Brain Negatively (click to read my article on how) in ways that can really impact grades, attitudes, and relationships.

It has a place in our world, to be sure, but it should not be something that goes unchecked

Have clear limits, clear times where it’s OK or not OK and stick to those, and have those limits for ourselves too!

Don’t let your kiddos pick up on these bad tech habits. https://t.co/dzDBgqDBqX #technology #habits #parenting pic.twitter.com/ipMUdW3GW6 — Gabb Wireless (@GabbWireless) October 1, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a good father.

A good father is simply one who spends time with his kids and cultivates a good work-life balance. Providing financially for kids isn’t as important as actively being in their lives and helping mold and shape their personality, values, and character.

The old-school model of a great dad was that to be a great dad meant working a 9-5. The dad provided most, if not all of the financial support for the family.

The qualities of a good father in the 1950s were often limited to tucking the kids in at bedtime and playing ball with them on the weekends.

As much as that 50’s Dad scenario might sound appealing, that’s no longer the world most of us live in.

No; for many of us, it takes a 2 parent income to survive.

It takes 2 parents working in collaboration with each other on after-school activities, homework, morning routines and especially keeping up with the household chores.

It’s not just enough to put food on the table, kiss them goodnight and play with them an hour or 2 on the weekends. The qualities of a good father in this day and age go much further than in past decades.

Plus in the world we live in today, many dads work nights and weekends anyway.

I wrote a recent piece about the changing face of the Nuclear Family (click to read on my site), so take a moment and check that out.

1960 – The sitcom “My Three Sons” debuted on ABC-TV. pic.twitter.com/K3F58IR75Q — Today In TV History (@tvhistorytoday) September 29, 2020

How the qualities of a good father have changed

For previous generations, fathers were the breadwinner for the family, the disciplinarian, and often played the role of the strong, silent type. The qualities of a good father have morphed, however, into dads needing to be a lot more well-rounded, and more active day to day in their kid’s lives.

I still remember becoming a father for the 1st time.

How Life Changes When You Have A Baby @DadFuture @johnsonsbaby “My life and perspective on things has changed so much” #baby #parenthood pic.twitter.com/7GS7XpKsDz — BabyCentre UK (@babycentreuk) April 19, 2017

• I asked myself what are the qualities of a good father?
• Would I make a great father? I want to be the best father for my kids. But at the same time, I worry about measuring up.
• Would I be able to do it? What if I fail?

I discovered that the qualities of a good father aren’t complicated.

You simply have to prioritize your family’s needs ahead of your own, to try your best and the really be there for them. I gathered all the tips and advice on the qualities of a good father and picked out the very best ones.

What makes an effective father?

An effective father is one who instills values and character in their child, but also encourages and nurtures the child’s own personality to come out. Effective fathers know when to protect their kids and set boundaries, but also when to let them go and allow them to learn the lessons from the child’s mistakes.

All of us have doubts about how to be a good father (or husband for that matter); we do and that’s totally normal.

And unless you go out of your way to read up on fatherhood, becoming a dad doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

But of course, many of us dads don’t read manuals anyway, right?

The questions that came to my mind when I first became a Dad were:

• What is the description of a good father?
• How do we learn these skills?
• What do we do when we fall short of that goal?
• How do we pick up the pieces when we fail?

We lead busy lives so its crucial that we stay in communication.

We check egos at the door and ask for what we need in a clear, specific and loving way. And we work together in driving our household.  I won’t lie; sometimes we fall short of that!

In short, you can’t be the best parent you can be if your relationship is suffering.

While I have a number of posts on relationships, if your relationship isn’t all it could be, I highly recommend you take a moment and check out a post I have about Empathetic Listening Skills (click to read my article).

Most of us weren’t taught how to empathize with others or how to be a good listener . Those skills are crucial in life, but they especially important for the qualities of a good father.

Happy Daughters Day! Here’s to all the dads lucky enough to have daughters. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/P7VvOi7rhn — Brian Walsh (@NYCSoccer1) September 25, 2020

Why dads are important to daughters

Dads play a special role in the lives of their daughters and are hugely important for the daughter’s self-esteem, feelings of self-worth, and confidence. Daughters with active fathers are less likely to suffer depression, develop eating disorders, or experiment with drugs or alcohol.

Make no mistake, kids need two active, involved, and loving parents.

But life happens, and sometimes people get divorced. We also have gay and lesbian couples with kids, so while I do want to talk about why I think fathers are super important in raising daughters , I don’t want that to come across as derogatory towards other family models.

Ultimately if you and your spouse or ex put the needs of the kids first , take ownership of your behavior and strive to do the right thing, that makes you a great parent.

That being said, there’s just something special about the relationship between a father and daughter.

After all, I (to my daughters) am the first man they knew and loved and all their future relationships and friendships with men will be, in part, based on how they see and interact with me.

A recent study by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect noted the following benefits of having a father consistently in a child’s life:

• Better cognitive, language, and social development
• Improved academic achievement
• Stronger sense of self-esteem
• Lower incidents of depression

But those are just the beginning of the Benefits of Father Involvement (click to read more on my site).

Rose McGowan is set to plead no contest to drug possession charge https://t.co/Uz6RKsTVxA pic.twitter.com/6BgQVdAfvq — Page Six (@PageSix) January 10, 2019

How absent fathers affect their daughters

Absent, neglectful, or abusive fathers often lead to daughters with eating disorders, depression, drug and alcohol addictions, and sexual experimentation and often they are unable to develop healthy relationships with men.

Ultimately if I am a terrible dad who isn’t involved, is lazy, treats their mother poorly, or is overly critical or abusive, I am literally setting them up for a series of failed relationships with horrible men.

It can also destroy their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.

They will also, according to a study published by OrgScience, stand a much higher chance of developing a dependency on drugs or alcohol.

That study goes on to say that women with the “worst relationships with their fathers” “are at higher risk for a wide range of behavioral and physical health problems, including sleep disturbances, obesity, high blood pressure, asthma, alcoholism, smoking, heart disease, chronic pain disorders, somatic symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune diseases”.

On the other hand, if I am present, involved, loving while setting clear boundaries and expectations, taking ownership of my mistakes and doing my best to treat them and others with love and kindness, I set them up for success.

With sons, but especially daughters, fathers are critically important and the ultimate role model.

As parents, one of the things we rely on the most is recommendations from other trusted sources. That’s the reason I created a page on my website for Top Parenting Resources (click to see my page).

I have compiled what I believe to be the absolute best parenting resources out there on a wide variety of needs. So no matter what your parenting challenge, I bet you’ll find a solution there.

How does childhood affect parenting?

How we parent as an adult is directly influenced by our own childhood. While adult parents who had bad, absent, or neglectful parents of their own sometimes go 180 degrees in the opposite direction with their own kids, most often, we tend to parent in similar ways to our own parents, for better or for worse.

Some of us weren’t taught the qualities of a good father by our dads. In my own life, my relationship with my Dad was complicated.

My folks split up when I was 6 months old and by the time I was 2 my Mom had remarried and we moved from Dallas to Philadelphia.

I grew up calling my step-father Dad, and my own Dad, who I only saw a handful of days a year until I was around 11, I called by his first name.

In all the most crucial ways, my birth father simply wasn’t there for me physically or emotionally.

It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I forced myself to start calling him Dad. My step-father had passed away decades earlier, and over time that became comfortable. Eventually, we grew closer.

We never really developed what I think of as a traditional father/son relationship.

But there was a lot of love and friendship . And I’ve missed him every day since he passed in 2014. I detailed my story with him in what has become my most popular blog post about Growing Up with a Gay Father (click to read my story).

My relationship with my step-father, the man I called Dad, was also complicated.

I loved him and he loved me. He also exhibited some of the qualities of a good father. But he had a problem with alcohol that led to a lot of drama & violence. Eventually (thankfully) my Mom left him as I approached my 11th birthday.

I’ve also written my story about Growing Up with an Alcoholic Father (click to read my story), so both those posts could be well worth reading if you have faced similar challenges in your life.

Final Thoughts

In this post, we took an in-depth look at the description of a good father and how to be the best dad possible.

Bear in mind the qualities of a good father are a subjective thing. There are, however, some basic principals for what a great dad is.  And also realize that just by taking the time to read a blog like this YOU ARE BEING A GOOD DAD !

You are taking the time to examine your own thoughts and behavior. You’re looking at how it applies to your kids. And you’re willing to make changes and recognize possibly destructive patterns of behavior.  You are open to change and improvement!

THAT MAKES YOU A GOOD DAD!

Looking for first fathers day gifts? Every father’s day is special, but there’s nothing quite like that very first one. Just click that link to check out some great options!

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15 Essential Qualities of a Good Father

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In this article we’re going to discuss the qualities of a good father all dads should strive to have.

* disclosure : some of these links might be affiliate links.

Introduction to the Attributes of a Good Father

There are many things needed for the success of the family.

Along with that for the successful development of kids.

Good fathers and good mothers are an essential piece in the equation.

Society at times tends to devalue the importance of fatherhood and how critical a father is in the home.

We know it’s not the case and research on fatherhood says otherwise.

I do know as a first-time dad it can be overwhelming.

You might not know which quality is essential to develop.

To make matters worse many times, the information you receive can be conflicting.

(the media doesn’t help, but more on that below)

We’ve come up with our own list of the best qualities of a father.

We hope you’ll find this list beneficial on your fatherhood journey.

What it Means to Be a Father

We’ve covered what being a father means . If you missed it, you should go check it out! Here are some highlights from that article.

For starters being a father can be very challenging.

The definition and even the expectations of fatherhood have changed considerably over the past 10 years.

Unfortunately, a lot of those changes and expectations have not been for the better.

The primary force pushing and defining fatherhood is the media.

According to media portrayals of dads we are:

• Not important to the family
• Dumb (Doofus is the term I used)
• Emotionally Unstable (not to mention emotionally uninvolved)

I want to encourage you to ignore these poor media portrayals.

• You’re important to the family
• You’re a role model
• You’re a gift giver
• You’re unconditional in your love
• You’re a disciplinarian
• You’re a provider
• Last and most certainly not the least you love your kid’s mother well.

What if I Don’t Have Those Qualities of a Good Father?

Many dads out there are going to look at this list and probably start feeling like they’re being judged or worse they’re not good enough.

I don’t want you to look at these as the measure of a good father.

What I mean by that is don’t look at this as, if you don’t have ALL these traits, you’re not a good dad.

First of all, there’s absolutely no judgment here.

Secondly, do not beat yourself over the head for not having ALL these qualities.

It would be pretty much impossible for one dad to excel at all these traits.

Also, many of the traits we’re going to mention will come easier to some fathers than others.

Your Goals by Looking at these Qualities of a Father

Instead, what you should do is look at these qualities or traits of a dad as something to work towards as you go through your fatherhood journey.

You’ll never be perfect in all of this.

Which is fine.

Perfection is not the point.

It’s all about trying to be better.

You see just because you’re not going to be perfect at it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive for excellence.

What Are the Qualities of a Good Father?

1. a good dad loves and protects his kid’s mom.

This is first and foremost on the list because it’s the most important.

If you’re divorced or a single dad this is going to look a little different for you.

So many times, we want to put our kids first and foremost, and it’s not the best approach.

Your focus should be on your wife (their mom) and nurturing that relationship.

Let me clarify something.

I am not saying don’t take care of your kids.

I am not saying don’t love kids.

What I am saying is the best way to love your kids and take care of your kids is by making sure your marriage is nurtured and taken care of.

When your marriage is good and nurtured your kids, and your family is more likely to be taken care of as a result.

No matter how well you love your kids, it doesn’t matter if you’re not taking care of your marriage.

With divorce being as high as it is (some estimates say anywhere between a quarter to a third of all marriages ( source ).

We all know by now the havoc a divorce can have on a family and especially kids ( source ).

2. A Good Dad Provides for His Family

If you asked most guys what they felt their primary role as a father was, more likely than not they’re going to say it’s to provide.

This is the stereotypical role of a father.

While I should add being a provider is NOT the only role of a dad (as you’ll see by this article).

It’s an important role nonetheless and part of what we still use to define dads.

A good dad needs to help contribute to the household and make sure their family has the necessities.

(food, water, and shelter)

A good dad should be able to hold down a job.

By holding down a job, you’re demonstrating to your kids the value of a good work ethic.

For the dads that are stay-at-home fathers, you’re not off the hook for providing for your family.

The way you provide just looks a little different.

When a stay-at-home dad is providing it could be by making sure the kids are taken care of.

Or making sure the household is in order.

3. A Good Dad is a Disciplinarian

You never have to teach kids how to lie and be bad.

They just know how to do all of that. But you have to teach them how to be good.

That’s where discipline comes into play. Good dads know that they should discipline their kids.

They also know it’s important their discipline is coming from a place of love ( source ).

• You need to be consistent in your discipline.
• Firm in your teaching.
• Most importantly loving in your actions.

4. A Good Dad is Not Focused on Raising Good Kids but Good Adults

Your kid is going to spend more time as an adult than as a kid.

As a dad, your focus shouldn’t be on raising good kids but on raising good adults who are productive members of society.

This comes in many different forms.

One of the ways is by letting kids be kids.

Which are often not mentioned enough.

Let them enjoy the innocence of their youth, before having the weight of the world on top of them.

This is the challenge with parenting and raising kids.

You know the end game is to have a well-adjusted adult.

At the same time, you have to find a balance between letting them be a kid.

But also knowing when they do have to start bearing the weight of the world, you’ve trained them up well enough to handle it.

The other way is by disciplining and instilling morals and strong work ethics in your kids.

5. A Father Leads by Example

As a father, you’re called to be a leader in the home.

Nothing will diminish your leadership quicker than not leading by example.

Your child is watching you ( source ).

Even when it doesn’t seem like they are.

Let me tell you…they are!

Are you talking about the importance of being polite and respectful but disrespecting your waiter at a restaurant.

…or yelling at bad drivers in the car?

Are you trying to teach them the value of being honest, but they’ve seen you lie?

Your kids are a lot better at detecting B.S. and inconsistencies than many parents would like to believe.

Even when they cannot conceptually see it, instinctively they can feel something just doesn’t seem right.

Think about your childhood and what you noticed when you were a kid.

Do you see what I mean?

6. Dads are Servant Leader

The ability to serve is an important trait.

Leading is not just about telling the ones you’re leading what to do.

It’s also about serving them as well.

The same concept applies to fatherhood.

Some of the concepts that differentiate “servant leaders” from leaders is ( source ):

• ➫ Humility is an excellent characteristic of a dad who’s a servant leader. He’s not necessarily after the attention and is ok with others getting the praise.
• ➫ Hard work and the pursuit of excellence not just in your family but in yourself as well.
• ➫ Selflessness he’s always thinking about the family.

No matter how tired he is, he always seems to have the energy to play with his kids.

There are other characteristics of a father who is a servant leader.

I would like to dive into this a little bit later, but until then.

Dads need to be servant leaders.

Which means you’re leading with a servant’s heart.

7. Fathers are Supportive to their Kids

A dad should strive to be supportive of his kids even when it’s hard.

This is important both when your kids are young and as they get older.

When your children are young, you’re building the foundations they’re going to need down the road.

As they get older, your support can drive them to excel in their endeavors.

I should clarify.

Supporting your kids doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything they’re doing.

It also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to change some of those behaviors.

What supporting your kids does mean is sometimes it’s just about loving them where they’re at.

8. Father’s are Slow to Anger

I’ve mentioned a couple times about the negative connotation men get when they display what has stereotypically been “feminine” emotions.

So, for example crying and to some lesser extent softer emotions like empathy.

Instead, the emotions dads get portrayed as having is anger.

When they get angry, they then act in a poor manner.

Unfortunately, we seem to be starting to normalize some of these poor behaviors.

Look at the media portrayals of dads for example.

The dads as portrayed by tv shows have the emotional equivalent of a toddler.

I’m not saying don’t get angry.

That would be silly.

You’re going to get angry.

It’s just going to happen.

What’s important is how you act.

The test of fatherhood is your ability to handle those emotions.

Your kids will be watching and learning how daddy handles situations when he gets angry.

In turn, they’ll be learning how they should handle situations when they get angry.

9. A Good Father Loves His Kids

Discipline without love breeds resentment.A good father loves his kids.Your kids should never wonder whether you love them.

Your children should be able to find peace, comfort, rest, and consistency in your love.

10. A Father Needs to be Patient

Patience is a virtue as the saying goes.As a father, your family is going to test your patience on a regular basis.

As challenging as it may be, each day you need to pass your test.

How you react in those circumstances could be what defines you in the eyes of your kids.

For example, the thought of teaching your child immediately comes to my mind. How do you handle it when you’re teaching your kids a skill?

What about when your tutoring them and they’re not learning it as fast as you would like?

Do you get angry?

Do you yell at them?

Or do you continue to be patient with them?

Do you continue to keep encouraging them?

11. Good dads are Dependable

Good dads should be a man of his words.

His family should be able to count on him.

But most importantly, when he says he’s going to do something his family and especially his kids know it’s going to happen.

If you tell your kids you’re going to be there for their soccer game or football game (or whatever it is) you need to be there.

If you get into a habit of breaking your word to your family, they’ll soon learn

“we can’t depend on dad.”

You don’t want that.

12. Kids Need a Dad that’s Compassionate

I think compassion doesn’t get brought up enough when it comes to dads. Compassion is sympathy or pity for someone else during their suffering.

With that being said can you not see how valuable that attribute is for a dad.

Your child for the next 10+ years is going to think the world is ending for every scrapes, bumps, and heartbreaks.

You don’t have to like it. You should coach them out of it. But remember the compassion. You might not think it’s a big deal. Honestly, most of it won’t be, but it doesn’t matter. You were a kid once.

To them it is, so try to meet them where they’re at and coach them out of it.

13. A Playful Dad is Important

Kids love having fun, and they’re good at it (sometimes at the expense of a furniture or wall).

Kids learn a lot through fun and play ( source ). Even when it’s not about learning, sometimes it’s just about the playing.Remember when I said above let kids be kids?

Along with that join them. Dads need to be able to play with his kids, have fun and just enjoy life with them.

14. A Good Dad is Present and Involved

The expectation for dads is to be present in the family.

We’ve already mentioned the consequences of an absent father .

Your fatherly role is not just about working and providing for the family.

Don’t get me wrong it’s one of your roles and an important one.

But it’s not the only role.

The interesting thing is to your kids being a provider will not be the most important role to them.

What will be, is your ability to be present in their life.

Both on a physical level but on an emotional and mental level.

It does no good if you’re physically there.

But your minds somewhere else.

15. A Good Father is Proactive

A good dad is proactive instead of being reactive.

What’s the difference you ask?

Being proactive means making changes when you see something that could go wrong.

Being reactive is making those changes only after things go wrong.

For a dad this can vary from time to time.

It could be your parenting style.

Maybe it’s your relationship with your children.

Or your wife.

Either way you want to resolve problems before they become problems.

Conclusions

There are many important attributes of a good father. Many of them we didn’t mention. What we did is hit on some of the qualities we believe to be very important.

A couple takeaways:

• This list is not a way to make you feel like you’re inferior
• It’s also not a way for you to feel like you’re being judged.
• Great dads will probably not excel in all these qualities and traits. But they are still trying.
• You’ll probably notice that many of these are both qualities of a good father and husband.

What qualities of a father did we miss?

Thank you for reading this article.

Please take a moment to share it so we can help other dads.

About the Author

ParentsPlusKids.com is the go-to resource for new moms and dads who are trying to survive motherhood and fatherhood.

I’d like to say this article is based purely on one’s opinion of a good father and is not written in stone like the 10 commandments. True it states you may not be good at all these things on the list, but this list fails to take into consideration everyone’s situation in a marriage or as a father varies a little. This is a self written list on what one person’s opinion of being a good father is. No one should take it to seriously.

there will always be someone who is negative and has to say negative to hints about everything and everyone

Essay on Qualities Of A Good Father

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities Of A Good Father in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Father

Understanding and patience.

A good father has a deep understanding of his children. He knows their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. He is also patient. He knows that kids make mistakes. Instead of getting angry, he uses these moments to teach them important life lessons.

A supportive father always stands by his children. He encourages them to follow their dreams and helps them achieve their goals. He praises their achievements and motivates them to do better.

A good father is a role model for his children. He leads by example. He shows his kids how to respect others, be honest, and work hard. He teaches them the importance of good character.

Love and Care

A good father showers his children with love and care. He spends quality time with them, listens to their problems, and gives them advice. He makes sure they feel loved and cherished.

Consistency

Consistency is another quality of a good father. He is consistent in his actions and decisions. This helps children understand what is expected of them and builds a sense of security.

250 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Father

A good father is understanding and patient. He listens to his children’s worries and dreams. He gives them time to share their feelings. He does not get angry quickly. Even when his kids make mistakes, he stays calm and helps them learn.

A good father is also a role model. He shows his children how to behave by his actions, not just his words. He is honest, kind, and hard-working. He treats everyone with respect. This way, his children learn to do the same.

Support is another quality of a good father. He supports his children’s dreams and goals. He encourages them to work hard and do their best. He is there to cheer them up when they are sad and celebrate when they achieve something.

Teaches Life Skills

A good father also teaches his children important life skills. He shows them how to cook, clean, and manage money. He helps them become independent. He also teaches them how to solve problems and make good decisions.

Above all, a good father loves and cares for his children. He makes them feel safe and protected. He spends quality time with them. He shows them they are important and loved, no matter what.

In conclusion, a good father is patient, a role model, supportive, a teacher, and loving. These qualities help children grow into happy and successful adults.

500 Words Essay on Qualities Of A Good Father

Introduction.

A good father plays a significant role in a child’s life. They guide, support, and love their children unconditionally. While every father is unique, there are common qualities that good fathers share. This essay will explore some of these qualities.

A good father needs to have patience. Children often make mistakes and can be challenging at times. A patient father understands this and doesn’t get angry easily. Instead, they calmly guide their child, helping them to learn from their mistakes.

Support is another key quality of a good father. They stand by their children in good times and bad. They cheer them on at their games, help with school work, and listen to their dreams and worries. This support helps children feel loved and valued.

Respect is a two-way street. A good father respects his children and teaches them to respect others. They show this by listening to their child’s thoughts and feelings, acknowledging their rights, and treating them with kindness and fairness.

A good father is a positive role model. They lead by example, showing their children the right way to behave through their actions. They are honest, hard-working, and kind. By being a good role model, they teach their children important life values.

Communicative

Good fathers communicate well with their children. They talk openly about different topics and listen to their child’s thoughts and ideas. This helps to build a strong bond of trust and understanding between them.

In conclusion, a good father is patient, supportive, respectful, a good role model, and communicative. They guide their children with love and understanding, helping them to grow into confident and capable adults. While no father is perfect, striving to possess these qualities can make a significant difference in a child’s life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Someone Who Inspires Me — My Dad is My inspiration: a Story from My Life

My Dad is My Inspiration: a Story from My Life

• Categories: Father Someone Who Inspires Me

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Words: 490 |

Updated: 28 November, 2023

Words: 490 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

My dad is my inspiration, works cited, video version.

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• Johnson, R. B., & Johnson, M. A. (2017). A model of servant leadership: Influences on follower development and performance. Journal of Leadership Studies, 11(2), 64-76.
• Jensen, E. (2017). Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
• Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 49(3), 182-185.
• Gilovich, T., Medvec, V. H., & Savitsky, K. (2000). The spotlight effect in social judgment: An egocentric bias in estimates of the salience of one's own actions and appearance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 211-222.
• Mussen, P. H., Conger, J. J., & Kagan, J. (2016). Child development and personality (8th ed.). Harper & Row.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
• Eccles, J. S., & Wigfield, A. (2002). Motivational beliefs, values, and goals. Annual Review of Psychology, 53(1), 109-132.
• Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

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Essay on My Father for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my father.

Essay on My Father: Usually, people talk about a mother’s love and affection, in which a father’s love often gets ignored. A mother’s love is talked about repeatedly everywhere, in movies, in shows and more. Yet, what we fail to acknowledge is the strength of a father which often goes unnoticed. Father’s a blessing which not many people have in their lives. It would also be wrong to say that every father is the ideal hero for their kids because that is not the case. However, I can vouch for my father without any second thoughts when it comes to being an ideal person.

My Father is Different!

As everyone likes to believe that their father is different, so do I. Nonetheless, this conviction is not merely based on the love I have for him, but also because of his personality. My father owns a business and is quite disciplined in all aspects of life. He is the one who taught me to always practice discipline no matter what work I do.

Most importantly, he has a jovial nature and always makes my mother laugh with his silly antics even after 27 years of marriage. I completely adore this silly side of him when he is with his loved ones. He tries his best to fulfill all our wishes but also maintains the strictness when the need arises.

One of the best things I love about my father is that he has always kept a very safe and open home environment. For instance, my siblings and I can talk about anything with him without the fear of being scolded or judged. This has helped us not to lie, which I have often noticed with my friends.

In addition, my father has an undying love for animals which makes him very sympathetic towards them. He practices his religion devotedly and is very charitable too. I have never seen my father misbehave with his elders in my entire life which makes me want to be like him even more.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My Father is My Source of Inspiration

I can proudly say that it is my father who has been my source of inspiration from day one. In other words, his perspective and personality together have shaped me as a person. Similarly, he has a great impact on the world as well in his own little ways. He devotes his free time in taking care of stray animals which inspires me to do the same.

My father has taught me the meaning of love in the form of a rose he gifts to my mother daily without fail. This consistency and affection encourage all of us to treat them the same way. All my knowledge of sports and cars, I have derived from my father. It is one of the sole reasons why I aspire to be a cricket player in the future.

To sum it up, I believe that my father has it all what it takes to be called a real-life superhero. The way he manages things professionally and personally leaves me mesmerized every time. No matter how tough the times got, I watched my father become tougher. I certainly aspire to become like my father. If I could just inherit ten percent of what he is, I believe my life will be sorted.

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Home • Life and Relationship • Relationships

How To Be A Good Father: 9 Qualities You Should Have

Being present and involved in your child's life are traits that most fathers should possess.

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Many new parents often wonder how to be a good father. Studies state that a father’s involvement in the child’s upbringing can influence their overall development. Indeed, a father who is more involved in their children’s day-to-day activities helps bring positive changes that shape the child’s life in a way that no one else can (1) . When you share responsibilities with your spouse and contribute to the child’s growth, education, and well-being, it shows your level of concern and commitment towards your children and family. So, how to be a nurturing dad to your children? We have compiled a few important characteristics and parameters to help you become a good, responsible father. So, read on to learn how to be more involved in the various stages of your child’s life.

9 Qualities Of A Good Father

1. he is protective:.

A good dad protects his kids by drawing clear boundaries, considers their best interests, talks to them about things they should be aware of and puts things in place. He teaches his kids about the consequences of making the wrong choices. A father instills character development in kids.

2. Affection is his middle name:

A good father is affectionate to his children. Though he may not hug and kiss the child like a mother does, his affection is no less than a mother’s. He lets the children know they can count on him.

3. A wall of trust and security:

The children believe that their father is always right. He will never lie to them, he will never betray them, he will never leave them in the lurch. That is the trust a good father builds in a child. The kids know that their father is always there whenever they want some help or whenever they are in trouble.

Walter Bond, a son, father, and former NBA player, shares the bond of love and trust he shared with his father while growing up. He also speaks about how he emulated his father while dealing with his own. He says, “When I was a little boy, my daddy would always pick me up. When he came home from work, he would pick me up. When he saw me in the nursery church, he picked me up. No matter how long he worked, no matter how tired he was, my daddy would always pick me up.

“So when I had my kids, I would always pick up my kids. When I got home, sometimes I was tired. They had a bottle in one hand, and they just lifted up the other hand, and they knew what Daddy was supposed to do. My job was to pick them up. My saddest day was when my daddy told me, ‘Boy, you’re too big; I can’t pick you up anymore.’ But when he couldn’t pick me up physically, he would pick me up emotionally ( i ).”

4. The source of encouragement:

You are the source of encouragement to your kid. Be it a football match or a debate competition, your presence at the venue gives a boost to your child’s confidence. You are the happiest when they succeed and you are the one who will make them strive better if they fail. Your words will make a world of difference to your child. Your words have the power to make or break them.

5. Has the patience to listen:

Listening is an important part of being a good father. Responsible fathers give their kids undivided attention and try to understand things from their perspective.

6. Provides the necessities of life:

As the head of the family, the father is responsible for giving a decent living for his children, be it a home, food, education or love, security, and attention.

7. Respects the mother of his children:

Children do well when they see their parents working together. A good father teaches his children how to respect their mother, and this he does by respecting his partner . He honors her views and does not argue with her in front of the kids. This sends the right message to the children that their parents work together, and they need to respect them both equally.

8. Spending time with him is fun for kids:

If the dad is at home, it is a fun time for kids. He plays with them, shares some tricks and shortcuts, makes their artwork easy, and their homework enjoyable. He involves them in things he likes to do. Television, laptops, and phones are put aside.

9. He is the best teacher:

A father teaches lessons not just for academics but about life. He shows how children can channelize their emotions when met with failure or disappointment, how they can use their energy for their good, how they can plan their careers or study hours.

If we sum up all the above characteristics of a father, we can understand that all of them arise from the man’s involvement and interest in his child’s life. The father’s involvement varies with the stage of his fatherhood .

How To Be Involved With Your Child At Various Stages Of Their Life?

As offspring get older, a father’s role continues to be significant, but it changes.

1. Before pregnancy – prepare mentally and physically:

Fathers need time to adjust to their new role just as mothers do. Involve in the preparations for your baby’s birth. Time spent in emotional and physical preparation to become a father can make all the difference to how the fathers feel when the baby arrives. There are certain things that you can do:

• Take care of your health. Make healthy choices. Eat healthily, quit or cut down on smoking and alcohol.
• Discuss how you will raise your children, talk about any concerns you have regarding starting a family.
• Be prepared for the changes a baby may bring to your lifestyle or home.

2. During pregnancy – be a caring husband:

Image: IStock

Your wife is going through a big change in her life. Her body, mind, and priorities are set to change, and you are the one she seeks support from:

• Go with your wife to medical appointments and ask questions or doubts if you have any.
• Take care of your partner , prepare her a healthy meal, help her get rest, and create a happy atmosphere at home.
• Read and learn about pregnancy and birth. Attend prenatal classes, help her through her trimesters.
• Talk, read or sing to your unborn baby, feel his kicks or movements on your wife’s belly. Shop for your baby, along with her.
• Make your house baby friendly. Do not paint or repaint the house as the toxins could be harmful to the mother and the baby.
• Discuss with your wife and agree upon sharing the responsibilities once the baby comes into your lives.

3. During early days of your baby – time to learn new things:

New fathers generally underestimate the change a newborn will bring to their family. But after they have a baby, they realize that they are having less sleep, less money, and less sex than before! It may take some time for you to have strong feelings for your baby.

• Spend time with your young family and make the most of your paternity leave. Take an interest in your baby, enjoy being with them and follow your instinct.
• Learn how to hold, bathe, and change nappies of your baby. Learn to respond to your baby’s cues.
• Be a part of breastfeeding by bringing your baby to your wife and being close by talking to her. Bring water to your partner while she is nursing as the release of oxytocin hormone while breastfeeding makes new mothers thirsty. Offer to burp the baby after every feed.
• Take turns during sleepless nights.
• Help your partner come out of postpartum depression or other medical issues. Assist her in getting the help she needs. Understanding the significance of postpartum depression and need of medical care for the same are very important.

4. Toddler and preschool – you are a bodyguard and a teacher too:

Toddlerhood gives wings to your child to go around and explore the places. They may not know what is safe and what is not, and this means you are busy protecting them 24X7. Also, this is the time the kids are enthusiastic about learning new things.

• Keep your toddler safe by childproofing the house.
• Go outside to explore nature, take your child to a park, play active games like kicking the ball, prepare them for school by teaching numbers and letters.
• Remember not to be over protective parent preventing your child from exploring the nature. It is not good physically or mentally.
• Do crafts, drawing, and coloring with the child, read books and stories to them.
• Teach discipline.

5. School age – the responsibilities are only increasing:

The child has grown big enough to go to school. But they may not like the new development; they might refuse to accept their new routine. You need to convince them about the goodness of formal education. Also, you need to be there for them while they struggle with the first books of their academics.

• Help you kid with homework and studies. Get them ready for school in the morning.
• Participate in school activities, attend parent-teacher meetings.
• Make your children help their mother in making the dinner, setting the table or cleaning up the stuff.
• Get to know your kid’s friends.

6. Teenage and beyond – time to step back and give them freedom:

You cannot be too involved with your children at this stage as they crave for freedom. They do not like if you are snooping on them. But this does not mean that you withdraw from your responsibility of taking care of them.

• Understand their puberty.
• Give them space and respect.
• Listen to their problems and guide them.

The father’s role differs not only with the age of the child but also with their gender. Most parenting requirements are the same for a girl and a boy, but a father needs to understand the subtle changes that he needs to make. For boys, their dad is a role model while for a girl he is a superhero who will influence her self-esteem and sense of identity.

How To Be A Good Dad To A Son

Your family is unique and so are the circumstances in which you nurture your children. However, there are certain positive traits which can’t be missed in fathers:

1. Show both sides of the coin:

You are the person who sets rules at home, and you are the one who enforces them. Children need both support and discipline. It is easy for the parents to split the jobs, with the mother being soft and father being tough. But don’t do that.

If you’re a disciplinarian and rarely show empathy and love to kids, your sons may see you as a dictator in the house. Only you know that you love them, and you are enforcing the rules for their good. Make them know your softer side so that they understand why you are tough sometimes.

2. Talk to your father:

As a child, you must have seen your father just the way your sons see you now. Now that you are a father, you can understand your dad better. You will realize the rationale between the way he behaved with you on certain occasions. This understanding will help you correct your way of parenting your sons. You will know what will hurt him and what will make him see your point.

Talk to your father, ask him about his struggles and sacrifices when you were a kid, and take his advice, as he has been there and seen that. Good communication can foster a deeper understanding and connection between fathers and their children.

3. Help your son do things:

When your son comes to you for a solution, help him do it by himself. Support and guide him, tell him what you did when you were in such a situation, but let him deal with it. Do not jump to do the work for him.

4. Spend time with him:

It is the only thing that you can truly give. Dedicate a certain slot every day for one-on-one time with your son and let him decide what you will both do together. You may play football together, watch TV, read a book or bake a cake. It doesn’t matter. He gets your undivided attention, he gets, for a change, to be in control, and you get to discover the inner life of your son. Do this every day; don’t ever cancel it as a punishment. It’s for him, unconditionally. You’ll be surprised to see the difference it can make for him and you.

5. Talk to him about his puberty and related topics:

Do not avoid the topic. If you do, your son will get information from elsewhere, and that could be harmful to him. Make him understand the changes in his body, talk about the sexual urges he might have, explain the relationship that he should have with women and how he should behave with them.

6. Apologize, and he will learn to apologize:

Do not hesitate to apologize to your wife, your kids or anybody else. Remember, your son is watching you, and he will emulate you. When you apologize for your mistakes, he will understand that there is nothing wrong with saying sorry, it doesn’t hurt your ego. Let him learn that it is OK to be wrong sometimes and it is not a taboo.

7. Love your partner:

Love and respect your partner. Your son will know that he needs to respect women. Above all, he will respect his mother and understands that he needs to listen to his mother as much as he listens to you.

Being a man, you can understand your son well, and empathize with him. You know what he is going through as a child or a teenager or a grown up man.

However, with daughters it is different. You need to make an effort to put yourself in her shoes, and that is not easy.

How To Be A Good Father To A Daughter

Fathers have an ability to influence the lives of their daughters – either positively or negatively. How a dad behaves with his daughter will decide how she thinks of herself and how she expects to be treated by other men in her life. Girls need the following intangibles from their fathers:

1. Give unconditional love:

Daughters need their fathers ’ unconditional love more than anything else. Give her what she deserves.

2. Say nice things to her:

A dad plays a big role in how a girl feels about herself. Her father’s encouragement and approval help her develop confidence and a feeling of adequacy. She is less likely to look out for approval of others to develop her self-esteem and self-image.

3. Gain your daughter’s respect:

An important attribute a girl needs to have is respect for her father as it is healthy for her in all areas of life. Your daughter will abide by your boundaries if she respects you. If you try to force her through fear or pressure, she will rebel and you will lose influence on her.

4. If you wouldn’t say it to a son, don’t say it to your daughter:

When she comes to you with her problem do not brush it off or tell her to go to her mother. Listen to her, if she wants advice from you, give it to her. Talk about strong women so that she will aspire to be one of them someday. Do not assume or influence what her interests will be because she’s a girl. Don’t just give her pink dolls, show her cars too and let her choose what she wants.

5. Share physical activities:

Boys tend to be more physically active than girls. However, make your daughter take up some physical activities . This will make her physically and mentally strong. One of the effective ways to treat or prevent eating disorders in girls is to have them spend time exercising or playing outdoors. Give her company and let her be physically active.

6. Have a regular and deep conversation with her:

Meaningful and affectionate dialogue with your daughter is evidence that she is worthy, secure and loved. Talk to her just like you talk to your son. However, the topics of conversation might change. You might want to have a better insight into her mind, understand her feelings and her thoughts.

7. Love and honor her mom:

When you love and respect your wife , your daughter will develop respect for you. She will appreciate the fact that you know how to treat women. It gives her an idea of what kind of men she needs to be with when she is mingling with boys in her school and college.

Focus on discovering ways to fulfill your daughter’s needs by developing a rapport with her.

Different Situations Different Approaches

The stepfather:.

The role of a stepfather is tricky as you may worry about not having fatherly feelings for the kid. What is important, though, is to think about how to create a caring, friendly and loving environment. Of course, a lot depends on the individual’s circumstances. Respect the child’s feelings about their birth father and understand how complicated this situation must be for them.

Children may blame their stepfather for having pushed out their birth father from their lives. They do not always understand rational explanations. The mother needs to make the kids understand that their stepfather does have a role in the family as the new father figure. You need to support your partner in helping her children to accept this.

It’s not always necessary for these difficulties to arise. Stepfather can bring freshness to family situations, diluting the tensions and creating the opportunity to find solutions to family difficulties.

Adoptive fathers 

The adoptive fathers undergo a certain process of self-examination and confrontation of personal issues that other fathers may never have to deal with.

As kids grow older, they may ask about their birth parents. They may become curious about their birth families and want to find out more about them. Children sometimes lash out at their adoptive fathers when they are hurt or angry. As an adoptive father, you need to be open with them. Explain things and try to be rational. You don’t have to feel insecure because after living with you for years, they definitely love you like their father.

Foster fathers

Fosters fathers too face complicated challenges. The circumstances that have brought a child in to foster care range from temporary difficulty in the family to serious problems in parenting, including physical or sexual abuse.

It is essential and helpful to talk to the child’s social worker to get a full picture of what they have been through. If you have some idea of what their experience has been, it will be easier not to take their hostility, rejection too personally. This can help in tolerating the very difficult behavior you are likely to face.

Find tactful ways to talk to your foster child about how they are feeling.

Separated fathers

Being separated from your kids is painful, and there is no way of making it simple, although it is possible to make it work for you and your child.

It always helps if you can remain on good terms with the kids’ mother. Children are usually loyal to both parents. You and your ex-wife still need to work together as parents, if not as a couple. Taking advice from friends, colleagues or agencies may help you to focus on your kid’s needs.

Keep in touch with your child, whether it’s through emails, calls or any other way. Your child will really benefit if you take an interest in them. Explain to your kid that they are still in your mind and heart. Remember the special occasions, such as birthdays, graduation days, etc.

Single parent

Bringing up kids is demanding. And if you are a single dad the job is doubly tough. You have to strive to bring out maternal feelings.

In addition to dealing with your children, you need to deal with your loneliness too. Talk about it to your friends or relatives. If you are ready, start dating again. You can find a woman who will understand you and your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a father’s responsibility in the Bible?

According to the Bible, the father is a child’s first teacher and must lead by example. He is the provider in the family who spends time with the children and disciplines them when needed. A father never gives up on his children and will always pray for them.

2. What age is perfect to be a father?

When to become a father is a personal choice you have to make after considering various factors. Therefore, there may be no perfect age to be a father. At the same time, experts say that the older you get, the lower your chances of conception. On the other side, young fathers may lack the resources to care for their young ones. Regardless of age, if you feel you are ready and can provide for children, you can become a father.

3. What are the five duties of a father?

A father has many duties to fulfill, but the five most important ones are protecting, providing, disciplining, motivating, and guiding their children.

4. What do daddy issues look like?

When a child lacks a strong father figure, they may develop problems connecting with people on a deep level. Such people might find it difficult to trust people, have a fear of abandonment, fear of intimacy, or run away from intense emotions. These are often termed ‘daddy issues.’

As a father, your role might change as the child ages. There will be a new set of challenges you might have to deal with each time. Amidst these changes, you might have pondered over the question of how to be a good father? No matter the kind of fears you hold about fatherhood, the above tips could be helpful. Tending to your child’s needs and being affectionate and emotionally invested in their lives could be a start. There may be times when you may not give your best. But as long as you keep trying to reconnect and give your best to your child, you will be a good father.

Infographic: Movies On Father-Child Relationships

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

• Fathers provide love, guidance, and learning to their children, and are looked up to by them.
• A good father is protective, affectionate, encouraging, and a strong support system for his children.
• He listens attentively, respects the mother of his children, spends quality time with his children, and is their best teacher.
• A good father is deeply involved in all stages of his children’s lives, from conception through their teenage years and beyond.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

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Dr. Sadhvi Mythili MBBS, Psychiatrist

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10 Qualities of a Good Father

A good father makes all the difference in a child’s life. He’s a pillar of strength, support, and joy. His work is endless and, sometimes, thankless. But in the end, it shows in the sound, well-adjusted children he raises.

A good father loves his children, but he doesn’t let them get away with everything. He might disapprove of his children’s misdeeds, using tough love to prove a point, but he does so through the power of his words.

10 qualities that every g ood father has

When we talk about the qualities of a good father, we often do not understand or even consider the level of involvement the father has to have in a child’s life. Just by providing material pleasures, a person cannot become a father. A good father should possess the following 10 qualities.

1. Respect the mother

When the child sees their father misbehave or disrespect their mother, they learn that women should be treated the same way. Whether you are divorced or married with some bumps on the road, nurturing your relationship with your wife as the mother of your child plays a vital role in nurturing caring humans, especially decent boys.

2. Knows how to discipline without violence

Being a good and fun dad does not mean you can never scold your child. Scolding or making your child realize their mistake need not involve belts and sticks. Punishments can be in the form of a strict tone while addressing them or not giving in to their demands.

3. Focus on the future

As a father, you will always feel your ‘baby’ is still too little to face the big bad world but children grow. They become adults and one day, become parents too. You need to understand that you are raising a person who will enter society and will be responsible to uphold the virtues of humanity.

4. Be open-minded

As a father, you need to unlearn many things, and having a narrow mindset is one of them. You need to teach your kids that they can count on you even if their opinions and life choices are not at par with your thoughts.

5. Spend quality time

Being actively involved in a child’s life requires a father to sacrifice some of his quality free time. But, this way you will be able to become the friend and guide your child will require later on in life.

6. Help them think for themselves

As a father, you will have to challenge your children to think for themselves. Think of a caterpillar struggling in the cocoon. Children need to metamorphose into responsible adults and this will be possible only when you let them fall and understand life.

7. Love unconditionally

The ability to just love is also one of the greatest qualities of a good father. Being a father, you should be your child’s biggest supporter and critic. Loving them unconditionally will make them value kindness and love others.

8. Talk to them

Communication often solves everything. As a father, you need to express yourself if you want your children to understand you and talk to you about their issues.

9. Follow a routine

A father should lead by example and hence when you have a routine in life and work diligently and honestly, you teach your children professionalism and its virtues.

10. Show acceptance

You need to understand that your children will not always be a clone of you. They will have their choices and your acceptance will help them lead a better life.

There are few things as valuable as a father who will do everything he can, and provide all the tools he has so that his children can become better than him.

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Armin Auctor is an author who has been writing for more than a decade, with his main focus on Lifestyle, personal development, and ethical subjects like the persecution of minorities in China and human rights.

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What traits do you share with your father?

In honor of Father’s Day, I asked writers in my memoir classes to put together 500-word essays about the traits they share with their fathers. After reminding them that a trait is a particular talent, characteristic, quality, or tendency someone has, I gave some examples. “Do you and your father share a similar outlook on life? Did you both like to dance? Play cards? Read newspapers? Drive too fast? Tell jokes?” I wondered out loud if writers in my classes are stubborn/fastidious/considerate/kind/open-minded/short-tempered like their fathers were.

Sharon’s father, taken when he was in his 80s.

This prompt was difficult for many writers. Ones who disliked their fathers felt they had nothing to write about. Ones who worshipped their fathers said reminiscing through writing made them miss their fathers all over again. Most found that reading their essays out loud to supportive listeners in class helped them embrace what the struggles with fathers had taught them, and celebrate what strengths the fathers they loved had given them.

Sharon Kramer is one of the writers who adored her father. This playful approach she took to writing her essay helped her — and those of us fortunate enough to be in class and hear her read it out loud — smile to think of him. Now you can smile, too — here it is:

Just riding around by Sharon Kramer

If I could paint a picture of my father, I would use primary colors with very little shading. I would paint a handsome man of medium height, a bit chunky due to wolfing down the foods he loved (which was all food) curly black hair and smooth skin that was envied by most women who met him — even into his eighties. He would be looking at you directly, with a smile that was warm but slightly controlled, possibly due to feelings of inadequacy because of his short-circuited education. He quit school at 16 to help support a family of 10 brothers and sisters.

In his right hand, he would be holding a 16-millimeter home movie camera ready to focus on whatever looked interesting — and a lot of stuff that wasn’t interesting at all. Scenes of his daughters playing piano, his aproned wife setting the table for dinner, an extended family gathered for a holiday. After the home movie was developed, we set up a movie theatre in the basement and laughed to the point of tears at seeing ourselves on a big screen.

The edge of the film had teeth that were supposed to fit into the projector’s sprockets but would often get stuck and need realignment. Sometimes, the film fell off the reel into a giant pyramid on the floor. My job was to untangle the mess so we could continue the show.

My love of the camera and the miracle of photography comes directly from my father.

In my painting of my father, his left hand would be holding a hammer and a box of nails, ready to use when any of his relatives or neighbors needed a quick repair — a squeaky door, a child locked in the bathroom, a toilet that didn’t flush. Although he grumbled about being asked to fix things (especially at dinner time) he was always generous with his time and skills. “He has more book learning than I do,” he might say afterwards. “But he can’t even fix a toilet.”

My respect for men and women who work with their hands began with my father.

My painting would have a table to the side with a large map of the United States and assorted yellow trip cards from the American Automobile Association on it. Whoever sat in the front passenger seat became the navigator and reader of the vignettes describing the places we were on our way to see.

I traveled much further than my father, but my love of adventure and travel came directly from him.

On a Saturday, my father might say to me, “Come on, let’s go for a ride.” I didn’t know where we were going, and neither did he. We could end up at a farm in Indiana, buying fresh eggs, or at a diner on the West Side of Chicago that boasted the best French toast in the world. These mini-adventures made me feel special, like a co-conspirator.

When we got home five or six hours later, my mother would scold, “Where were you?” Winking at me, he’d say, “Nowhere, just riding around.”

I loved having a secret with my dad.

Sharon Kramer compiles essays by writers from the “Me, Myself and I” class I lead at the Chicago Cultural Center at a blog called Beth’s Class . Visit there often to find essays by Sharon and her fellow Wednesday writers there.

Lovely! Thanks for sharing.

Sharon painted a portrait with her words. I love her essay.

Thank you Sheila and Hank. Appreciate it. So would my dad!!

This was so fun to read! Makes me feel like I really know your dad. Thanks!

Hi Maggie. Thanks for your comment. Before I wrote this I didn’t realize how many good traits he passed on to me. Thanks Dad.

I love Sharon’s essay. It inspires me to be that kind of grandma to my grandkids.

Thank you Nancy. What a wonderful compliment to my father. Are you listening, dad? I hope so.

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The Importance of a Father in a Child’s Life

Anyone can father a child, but being a dad takes a lifetime. Fathers play a role in every child’s life that cannot be filled by others. This role can have a large impact on a child and help shape him or her into the person they become.

Fathers and Emotional Development

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down the rules and enforce them. They also look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self confidence.

Fathers Set the Bar for Relationships with Others

Fathers not only influence who we are inside, but how we have relationships with people as we grow. The way a father treats his child will influence what he or she looks for in other people. Friends, lovers, and spouses will all be chosen based on how the child perceived the meaning of the relationship with his or her father. The patterns a father sets in the relationships with his children will dictate how his children relate with other people.

Fathers and Their Daughters

Young girls depend on their fathers for security and emotional support. A father shows his daughter what a good relationship with a man is like. If a father is loving and gentle, his daughter will look for those qualities in men when she’s old enough to begin dating. If a father is strong and valiant, she will relate closely to men of the same character.

Fathers and Their Sons

Unlike girls, who model their relationships with others based on their father’s character, boys model themselves after their father’s character. Boys will seek approval from their fathers from a very young age. As human beings, we grow up by imitating the behavior of those around us; that’s how we learn to function in the world. If a father is caring and treats people with respect, the young boy will grow up much the same. When a father is absent, young boys look to other male figures to set the “rules” for how to behave and survive in the world.

So today, don’t forget to tell your dad you love him, and thanks for being there!

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How to be a good father: tips & advice for dads.

What does it mean to be a dad? The art of fatherhood is evolving as society and the traditional family changes. With these positive parenting tips, dads can help their children build confidence and self-esteem, and in turn, learn how to be an engaged, supportive, and loving father to their children.

Today's families are increasingly more diverse , including single parent families, blended families, same gender parents, unmarried parents, and multi-generational families. Over the past three decades, societal changes including the rise in numbers of women working outside the home, escalating divorce rates, remarriages, and blended families are causing shifts in both maternal and paternal roles.

Ask a dad today and he will probably tell you that his father-daughter or father-son relationships differ widely from those he experienced with his own father. Changes in parenting styles have given men more options for responding to obligations as fathers, husbands or partners. Today's dad is less likely to automatically rely on his own childhood experiences for fatherhood guidance. With the constantly changing roles of dads , what worked well for his father 30 years ago, may not work at all with the complex and varied challenges modern fathers face.

Current research reveals that warm accepting fathers tend to have children with higher self-esteem. An affectionate and nurturing father-child relationship furthers the development of children's achievements, peer popularity and personal adjustment. Loving fathers, who provide reasonable, firm guidance, without arbitrarily imposing their will, help to promote competence in children.

Parenting Tips for Dads: Being an Engaged, Supportive & Loving Father

• Spend time with your child . How a father spends his time reveals to his child what is important to him. Kids grow up quickly and the time to bond is now. There are plenty of fun ways to spend family time with children .
• Discipline with love and positive parenting . All children need positive guidance and discipline , not as punishment, but to set reasonable limits. Dads should remind children of the consequences of their actions and positively acknowledge desirable behavior. Fathers who discipline in a calm and fair manner show love for their children.
• Be your child's role model . Whether they realize it or not, fathers are role models to their kids. A girl who spends time with a loving father grows up knowing she deserves to be treated with respect by boys and she learns what to look for in a partner. Fathers teach boys and girls what is important in life by demonstrating honesty, humility and responsibility.
• Earn the right to be heard . Fathers should begin conversations with their children about important topics when they are very young so that difficult subjects will be easier to handle as they get older. Take time for listening to your child's ideas and problems.
• Be your child's teacher . To be a good father, teach your children about right and wrong and encourage them to do their best. See that your children make good choices. Involved fathers use everyday examples to help children learn the basic lessons of life.
• Eat together as a family . An important part of healthy family life is bonding through family meals . It gives kids the chance to talk about what they are doing and want to do. It is also a good time for fathers to listen and be involved. It provides a structure for families to be together each day.
• Read to your child . In a modern world dominated by television and internet, it is important that fathers make the effort to read to their children in order to grow lifelong readers. Begin reading when they are very young and as they get older, encourage them to read on their own. Instilling a love of reading is one of the best ways to ensure children will have a lifetime of literacy and personal and career growth.
• Respect the other parent of your child . Parents who respect each other and demonstrate mutual respect to their children, provide a secure environment for them. When children see parents respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected within the father-child relationship.
• Seek involvement early . Show interest early by understanding a father's role during pregnancy or the adoption or surrogacy process and gently touch, play, hold and talk to your infant child. When fathers are involved, they send the clear and emphatic message: "I want to be your father. I am interested in you and we have a relationship that is important to me."

Few events change a man's life as much as becoming a father. Being entrusted with the responsibility and care of another person is a monumental task but none is more rewarding than becoming a father and seeing your child grow gradually into adulthood, with your affection returned in good measure and your child's self-worth confirmed. Hopefully, these parenting tips can provide some guidance to dads trying to learn how to become engaged, supportive, and loving fathers.

The Work-Life Equation Podcast: Talking Fatherhood with Millennial Dads

On this episode of the Work-Life Equation: millennial dads. What does fatherhood look like in 2018? Our very candid panel of modern working dads told us about stepping up as parents, dance classes on football Sunday, sharing the load with mom, redefining self-care, and “embracing the poop” in a job that’s harder – and more fun – than they ever imagined.

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Five Characteristics Of A Good Father

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There are a number of things that children expect from their parents, fathers in particular. We look to them to be a role model, we look to them for help and advice, a hand to pull you up, or just to hold if that’s what you need. These characteristics of a good father are the most important qualities that every dad should embody.

A good father protects his children

One of the most important characteristics of a good father is that he protects his children from anything that might stand in the way of their happiness or hurt them. He puts his children’s needs first.

A good father will provide for his family

Providing for your family does not mean just  financially.

One of the characteristics of a good father is his ability to make sure he gives his children the emotional support they need with no strings attached, as well as a safety net to fall back on.

This doesn’t mean coddling them or allowing them to get away with mischief.

A good father knows what his family needs from him: love, unconditional and irrevocable; support; protection; trust; and a shoulder.

A good father is firm, but just

The hardest thing for a father to do is discipline his children . Every parent likes to believe that their child is a veritable angel and might gloss over issues that need to be addressed and dealt with.

The strongest characteristic of a good father is his ability to be an effective parent by being firm and consistent with his children.

It’s so important to teach kids the difference between right and wrong by being an effective disciplinarian and a moral compass. 

Children should be able to go to their parents when they’re in trouble, need help, or have done something wrong and don’t know what to do, without having to worry that parents will yell or punish them unfairly.

Children should know that their father will be just and fair, but at the same time help them to overcome their hurdles.

Disciplining children effectively and staying consistent is a hard trait to master, but if you’re struggling in this area, I HIGHLY recommend Parenting Manual 101 . It’s an eCourse designed to help you improve in all areas of parenting.

A good dad raises good adults

A father’s job doesn’t end when his kids turn 18. He, as their parent, is responsible for instilling in them a set of fundamental rules and moral codes by embodying those principles and following those same rules himself in life.

A good father leads by example. 

He isn’t just raising children, he’s raising a child to be a good adult.

“If you spoil your child, you will have to raise your grandchild.” Unknown

A good father raises his kids so he can spoil his grandchildren. 

A good father is kind

Parents often forget to be kind in their quest to raise their children and giving them all they need and deserve. A child with a good father knows that even when he is being disciplined, there is kindness and love behind his father’s words and actions. 

A good father never lets his child believe that he is anything but loved. How? By being kind and consistent in his actions and behavior, even when he is being firm and strict. 

Gift Ideas for Fathers

Looking for unique gift ideas for men ? Celebrate the amazing father in your life with these awesome gift ideas.

Every man has the potential to be a great dad, but it’s essential to hone these five characteristics of a good father first!

14 Characteristics of a Good Father According to the Bible

Are you excited to be a father? Do you hope you can be a godly dad to your kids and succeed in molding them into upright individuals?

If you want to be the kind of dad that pleases God, find out the characteristics of a good father according to the Bible. Here are some of them:

Leads as the Family’s Spiritual Head

1. he is a good husband to his wife..

You cannot be a good father to your kids without being a good husband to their mother first. That is why you must also strive to be a loving, considerate, and respectful husband to your wife. If you have a harmonious relationship with her, your home will be peaceful and full of love, which will secure your children.

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)

2. He Protects His Marriage.

A lot of marriages fail today, leaving numerous kids broken and hurting. For this reason, you should guard your marriage against unfaithfulness, pride, violence, and anything that can cause separation or divorce.

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:6)

3. He Promotes God’s Word at Home.

If you want your kids to grow up loving God and living according to His will, you should introduce them to the Bible. Aside from going to church as a family and letting them attend Sunday school, make sure you have your own Bible sharing at home.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

4. He Leads the Family to Serve the Lord.

Make it a goal to serve God as a family. Being active in the ministry and participating in church fellowships altogether will help instill Christlike values in them. These will also help them discover the purpose of their existence, which is living for God.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

5. He Fears the Lord.

A good father is God-fearing. Since he has reverence for the Lord, He will be careful to obey His commands in everything. This godly wisdom will help him come up with the right decisions for his family. Moreover, this attitude will lead to blessings from God, with his children benefiting the most from them.

“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

6. He Encourages His Children to Live for God

A Christlike dad will not just encourage his kids to go to church and be part of a ministry. His main goal is to instill in their hearts that their purpose in life is to glorify God.

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2: 11-12)

7. He is Prayerful.

Every parent who has faith in God will entrust their family to Him through prayers. Therefore, you should regularly pray for your kids and the entire family. Instead of letting problems cloud your judgments in decision-making, you get peace through Christ Jesus in your heart.

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)

8. He is Compassionate to His Children and Treats Them with Grace.

A good father is like God—he is merciful to his children. Even if they commit mistakes, he treats them with grace, forgiving them for what they have done, and still loving them unconditionally.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

Guides His Children

9. he is a role model to them..

As a father, it is your greatest job to teach your children to be righteous individuals. The best way to do this is by being a role model to them in integrity, faith, love, and Christlikeness. Be a good example to them by living these godly principles.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” (Titus 2:7)

10. He Disciplines Them.

Do not be afraid to discipline your children when they do something wrong. To become good citizens in the future, you have to train them while they are young. Rebuke and correct them when they commit mistakes. Punish them if necessary so they will understand the weight of their wrongdoings.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Desires Good Things for the Family

11. he gives his kids what is good for them..

Any parent would want to provide the best for their kids, so it is natural that you will give them what they need—not the wants that will lead them to destruction. Of course, it will be a delight to give them what can make them happy or benefit them the most. How you provide for your children reflects the desire of the Father in heaven to give good gifts to His children.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

12. He Works with Excellence.

A good father works diligently to be able to provide for his family’s needs. Moreover, he treats his job as a blessing from God, thus giving his best to honor Him. Anyone who works with dedication and excellence will surely reap what they sow—which is abundance for the family.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23)

13. He Trains Them in a Righteous Way.

Overall, you are a good father if you are able to train your kids in a godly way. To do this, make sure to teach them what is right and wrong according to God’s standards. Also, introduce them to the Bible as a source of wisdom and principles. When they grow up, they will always go back to this foundation.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

14. He Secures Them with Love.

If you want your children to feel secure, you have to instill love in their hearts. Assure them that they are loved—by God, their parents, friends, and others close to their hearts. Then, teach them to love others as well. With this, they will grow up with more courage and positivity to face life’s challenges.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

You Can Do It with God’s Wisdom

It may seem scary, but if you rely on God all way, you can succeed in being a good father. Therefore, pray earnestly, seek wisdom through His Word, and ask guidance from godly dads you know.

Online courses recommended for you：

• Prophetic School And Hearing The Voice of God This course is for any believer who is hungry for God’s power to flow through them, bless, and minister to people.
• 15 Essential Biblical Texts 15 key Biblical texts you can use to bring deeper meaning to your life for anyone interested in creating a more meaningful life through Biblical wisdom.
• The Resurrection of the Son of God Study of the afterlife and the idea of resurrection.

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What’s the Best Advice You’ve Received About Fatherhood?

With Father’s Day around the corner, we’re looking for tips you’d like to pass on.

By The New York Times

Parenthood does not come with a definitive instruction manual. While there are scores of books, influencers and classes offering guidance on how to raise children, the experts all have their own, sometimes wildly different, methods. Family members or strangers on the internet who may or may not have been asked for their advice are also eager to share their often conflicting opinions. And, still, even though men are spending more time at home with their families, many of those discussions are aimed at mothers.

That’s not to say dads aren’t searching for advice. Anyone with a child, no matter what age, needs help at some point, and, in the midst of all the noise, fathers find the strategies, tips, and yes, dad jokes, that work for them.

Ahead of Father’s Day, we’d like to hear your best pieces of advice for dads today. If you’re already a father, it could be a hack that was passed down to you, or one you discovered almost by mistake. Maybe you have a seemingly magic formula to calm down a fussy kid, or a way to stay connected to a teenager in your life. Is there a parenting motto that kept you sane when things got tough? Is there something special your own father did that you wish other dads knew about?

Please fill out the form below to share your experiences and tips, and your response may be part of an upcoming article. We will not publish any part of your submission without contacting you. A reporter will be in touch first.

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