So you decided to be a father? You may have already heard that it’s not simple, nor easy. However, if you’re going to be a father why not be the ultimate super dad whilst you’re at it? Does it sound impossible? Keep Reading…

No doubt fatherhood is a long and arduous journey. It requires patience, understanding, and dedication. Fathers are the ultimate role models for their children, and they have to be there for them in order to provide security and affection.

A father plays an important role in their children’s lives. They can provide security by being there for them when they need it most, be it during tough or happy moments. A father’s loving presence can also help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence, as well as their social skills. In this article, we will provide you with 5 easy, yet crucial steps to being the perfect father.

Step 1: Protect your child:

A father’s love for his child is one of the strongest emotions in the world. It is a feeling that transcends time and distance. If you’re a loving and devoted father, then this comes hand in hand with the overwhelming need to protect your little ones. It is important to know what type of protection your child needs, and how to keep them safe.

Different forms of protection:

1- Financial:

Money can be used to buy things like food, clothes, seat belts, security systems, blankets to keep them warm, and just about anything they need. Keep in mind that the more money you can make the more comfort you can offer to your children and little family.

2- Planning ahead:

Having a will and life insurance. Gaining promotions at work, investing in their education early on, etc.

3- Safety:

This includes keeping your child away from risky situations, as well as having a plan for emergencies.

4- Making them feel loved:

This includes making sure that your child feels loved and cared for by you, their other close relatives, and other people in their life. A child that grows up feeling unwanted, unappreciated, or like a burden may develop a few mental issues or find it traumatic to remember their childhood.

5- Emotional:

This includes being there for your children when they need it the most. Giving them all the love, emotional support, and warmth they need. So that they never feel lonely enough to throw themselves in a risky situation for someone’s attention nor want to meet strangers they find online, for instance, etc.

Step 2: Physical affection:

Many fathers are hesitant to show physical affection, to their children. They feel that it is not their responsibility and it would be inappropriate for them to do so. However, a lot of research has shown that physical affection between the father and his child can have a positive impact on the child’s emotional development. Fathers should not be afraid to hug their children, kiss them and show them affection.

Other forms of physical affection include hugs, pats on the back, kisses on the cheeks, and high-fives. Fathers should be open about the way they feel, in order to make sure that the children know that they are loved by both parents and that they care about them deeply. In the absence of physical affection, children may feel rejected by their parents and may have difficulty developing a healthy self-image.

Step 3: Respecting Mom:

Fathers play a crucial role in the upbringing of their children. In a society where there is still a lot of gender inequality, it’s important that fathers respect their mothers and listen to them, especially in front of their children.

This will teach children about the importance of respecting women and show them that families are about love and support, rather than something more sinister or violent.

The father may want to give a better image of himself, his character, and his beliefs to their little ones. He probably does not want his children to think that he is someone who is not interested in their mother and her opinions. Fathers should respect mothers and listen to them. Not only that but they should preserve the mother’s authority and help her be heard, listened to, and respected by her kids.

This will allow mothers to feel respected as well as show a familial atmosphere, that children need from their parents. This inevitably displays; both the father and mother as one solid team and goes to show that they make collective decisions for their little family unit.

Step 4: Encourage self-esteem

Parents are the most influential people in their children’s lives. They can help them build a positive self-image and make them feel comfortable in their own skin.

The way you talk about your children will have a lasting impact on how they view themselves. Fathers should help their kids gain confidence, by praising them and giving them confidence-boosting compliments; such as “you’re so smart” or “you’re so talented”.

Sometimes school can be a cruel place. Every child is different and uniquely amazing in their own way. Encouraging your children to be confident in their own skin is one of the most important things you can do for them. It will help them to grow into strong, independent adults, who are comfortable in their own skin and have positive self-esteem.

Fathers should praise their children for being themselves and not worry about what other people think. They should encourage their children to rise from failure and give them confidence. They should never reprimand or punish them, for mistakes they made unknowingly. This can cause emotional and psychological harm in the long term.

Step 5: Spend spare time with them

Fathers are often busy with work, so they don’t have time to spend with their children. This can cause a lot of problems in the family and lead to resentment from the kids.

Instead of neglecting your children, try spending some time with them every day. You can play games or do activities that you both enjoy. Make sure you’re not being too demanding or neglected, and make sure your kids know that you care about their well-being. A father should never let his children feel unappreciated by him.

He must sacrifice his own comfort and resting time if needed, in order to ensure that he spends quality time with them. With fatherhood comes great responsibility. It requires making changes to your life.

Think about what you are doing in your free time: whether it’s nights or weekends: are you meeting friends? watching football? or are you giving your kids the quality time they deserve, from their one and only true role model?

The bottom line:

These 5 crucial steps can be life-changing and transform you into the best possible father you can be. Remember this is not a competition. Don’t look at other fathers and think it’s too hard to measure up or that you will never get there and most importantly don’t compete with your spouse to be the best parent.

Whatever you have, if you offer it or share it generously with your kids, with a smile on your face then you will have a big space in their hearts. Every father has his own beautiful and unique journey to becoming the best possible version of himself.

Most importantly: Don’t forget to look after yourself and take care of your health. Fatherhood is not easy, regardless of what age your kids are; there will always be new challenges.

Just know in the long run it will all be worth it. When you see that precious smile on your child’s face, looking at you with utter amazement and pride, knowing you are everything to them; you will be the happiest father alive.