You Can Be Awesome, Dad

10 Tips for Being the Best Father You Can Be

Love and respect your children. Children who feel their parents’ love and acceptance develop self-esteem. Tell them they’re smart and talented and you’re proud of them. Respect their opinions, even if you disagree.
Love and respect their mother. Children learn respect for others by the example parents set. When parents are partners, kids see them sharing responsibility and a loving relationship.
Make time for your kids. Mom isn’t the only one who can help with homework or bath time, who can take them to the dentist or shopping for clothes.
Make time for fun. They might not remember who won the baseball game, but they will remember sitting in the bleachers with you or the hour you spent on the playground swings.
Pay attention. When you’re with your kids, ignore cell phones and other distractions and focus on them – ask them about their day, play a game, go for ice cream.
Demonstrate character. Fathers who are dependable, trustworthy, honest and fair model those qualities for their children. Parents have a tremendous influence on a child’s values, from work ethic to healthy family relationships.
Be a patient teacher. Children build self-sufficiency and self-esteem by learning new skills, whether it’s a tutorial on using a computer or how to do the laundry.
Read to them. Reading together teaches them an important skill that’s a building block to a successful future, and you’re spending one-on-one time that lets them know they’re special.
Teach them finances. They don’t have to know the stock market ins-and-outs at age 10, but they do need to start learning the basics of budgeting and using credit cards wisely.
Stay Healthy. Fathers who take care of themselves will be around long enough to help their children become responsible adults and to show their children how to be awesome grandfathers.