What separates the good dad from the true "Super Dad" is patience, humor, honesty and other critical virtues!Here are some tips and links on how to become a super dad. Please print and post on the fridge.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: As much time as you can commit
Here's How:
- Get over yourself: life no longer revolves around your needs. The quicker you come to terms with this irreversible fact, the happier you’ll be.
- Be alert to what’s going on. Men tend to be self-centered and don’t notice the needs of others, especially in new surroundings. Look around and find actions you can take to create harmony.
- Become a willing porter. Fatherhood is about love and support, but more often it’s about moving stuff around. In any outing you’ll need to set up/move the portable crib, car seat, diaper bag, toys, etc.
- Patience, patience, patience. If I could wish for booster shot of anything it would be an extra dose of patience. In general, we’re much more tolerant with our co-workers than with our families. Tweak your snapping point way down.
- Learn to play. As a society we are focused on rules, order, routine, and the serious business of running a house. Taking the time to have simple fun everyday is a must for a balanced family life. It should be as natural as brushing your teeth.
- Be flexible. The days of plans and order in your life are over. Welcome to the world of controlled chaos. The good news is that stretching your spontaneous muscles keeps you young and mentally supple.
- Parents rule! You and your wife run the house, not your kids. Make sure that you both have agreement on the key issues, and stick to them. You must always support your wife in her dealings with the kids.
- Listen hard. It’s not so much what they say, but how they say it and what they leave out. Having a good communication network in the house is the fabric of happiness. Lay the foundation for people small and large to speak their minds.
- Be honest. If you're weaving the fabric of your family’s life, make sure you thread in honesty. Kids learn that virtue by example. Tell it like it is and teach your kids to accept the truth, however unpalatable.
- Keep’em healthy. It’s part of your responsibility to keep your family healthy and fit. Insist on a good diet and create the foundation to support it. Encourage physical, adventurous activities; turn off the TV and get out!
- Bring the community into your home. Running a family is a very self-absorbing activity; don’t forget your friends, family, and community. They all play a huge role in your children’s development. Create a friendly home and invite them in.
Tips:
- Look beyond yourself.
- Listen and be patient.
- Don’t be so serious.
- Bring the community into your home.
