As we approach another Father’s Day.  Dads everywhere are prepping their grills, coolers, and streaming services to watch their favorite game or show.  We believe Dads can be so much more in the lives of their kids.  From all the Dads at  4MyTots, we want to challenge you to try something new, do something you don’t do often enough, or just do a little bit more with your kids!  We’ve summarized the areas in your child’s life where they look to Dad as they grow up in this 3 part blog series:

1. How are you as a role model and teacher to your child?
2. How are you as a Provider for your child?
3. How are you as a friend and companion to your child?

In Part 1, we are going to focus on how you are as a role model and teacher to your child.

.  Some questions to ask yourself:

As a role model and teacher, do you embody the values that you teach your child? How do you usually behave in your home? Are you generally happy and pleasant or angry and frustrated? Children mimic our behavior inside and outside the home. If your behavior is less than ideal, children will live in fear or act out in the house. Then, they will repeat this behavior outside the home in their interactions with teachers, friends, family and society at large. This has a profound effect on their motivation, achievement, and long-term success. 

Here are some ways that fathers can be better role models and teachers for their children:

• Be present. The most important thing a father can do for his children is to be present in their lives. This means spending time with them, talking to them, and listening to them. Mealtime is one of the best ways to accomplish all of these things.  If cooking is not possible, try a ready made meal like Ella's Kitchen 10 Mths+ Organic Spag Bol with a Sprinkle of Cheese (190g) or Ella's Kitchen Cheery Chicken Roast Dinner (130g) These are healthy, organic meals that let you spend quality time with your kids instead of in the kitchen. There is now significant evidence on the benefits of families eating meals together.  This action alone is a significant step in improving your child’s daily life. 
• Be loving. Fathers should show their children that they love them unconditionally. This means consistently being there for them whether they are happy, sad, angry, or scared.  Adding conditions to your love teaches your child that they are doing something wrong when they are in a different emotional state.  Always embrace them no matter the emotion they express.
• Be respectful. Fathers should teach their children to respect themselves and others. This means modeling respectful behavior and teaching children how to resolve conflict peacefully.  Your emotional state as a father will reflect in your child’s behavior.  If you’re angry and hostile, these traits will become visible in your child over time.
• Be responsible. Fathers should teach their children the importance of being responsible. This means being accountable for their actions and making good decisions.  Simply put, if you are irresponsible in your day to day activities, your child will model that behavior thinking that it is ok.
• Be a good example. Fathers should set a good example for their children by living their lives in a positive and responsible way. This means being honest, hardworking, and kind. A father can teach his children about the importance of hard work by setting a good example. He can show them that anything is possible if they are willing to work hard for it.
• Be an Educator. A father can teach his children about the importance of education by being involved. Help them with their homework, attend parent-teacher conferences, get to know the teachers, and prepare them for school.  Making your child’s lunches is a consistent way for them to remember what you did for them when they share lunch with their friends later that day.  Include healthy snacks like carrot or celery sticks with hummus or a non-allergenic nut butter. Or substitute potato chips with Organic Puffs 
• Talk to them. One of the best ways to teach children is to talk to them. Fathers can talk to their children about their day, their thoughts, and their feelings. They can also talk to them about important life lessons, such as honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Read to them. Reading to children is a great way to help them develop their language skills and their imagination. It is also a great way to bond with them and spend time together.
• Play educational games with them. There are many educational games that fathers can play with their children. These games can help children learn about math, science, reading, and other subjects.
  Help them with their homework. Helping children with their homework is a great way to show them that you care about their education. It is also a great way to bond with them and spend time together.
• Take them on field trips. Taking children on field trips is a great way to help them learn about the world around them. It is also a great way to bond with them and spend time together.

Fathers who are teachers become role models for their children. This can only help them develop into well-rounded individuals capable of achieving their goals. Ultimately, this helps their children build strong relationships and live happy and fulfilling lives as they grow up.

Check out This Father’s Day Be the Best Dad and Win that Father of the Year Award! Part 2 Next!

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors at 4mytots.com and do not necessarily reflect any official policy or position including any product or article links provided.