Dad

So for this week I decided to post 2 things because I really enjoyed writting this paper. We had to write a paper on fatherhood and I thought "this is gonna be difficult" but it turned out to be a great blessing. I wanted to say that I love my Dad and all the things he did and does for me. I hope this paper shhows that. Here is my paper...

Fatherhood: An Eternal Role

The importance of father involvement

            What is so important about being involved as a father? Why do children need a father? I have come to the conclusion that the father plays a vital role in the lives of his children. I believe that some of the most important things a father can do in being involved are the following:

·         Personal development

·         Important for supporting both self and family

·         Just being involved in the lives of your children and wife

·         Being present at every appointment and being present in life itself.

·         Teaching skills to children so that they may make proper choices in life.

            Personal development relates to the fact that before you’re even a father, you must overcome your own personal follies to become a greater man for your family. It is important to be supportive to the family even before a child enters into it. Be supportive of your wife in her wants and needs. Help out when and where you can. Being present means living in the here and now. Don’t worry so much of the what ifs and the past mistakes in your life because this just brings the family down. Finally teaching life skills to your children means being active in their lives and helping them to make correct decisions in their lives so when they are older you can know that you did all you could to help them become great citizens of the community in which they live.

Personal Experiences

            When I think about my own father I think about a man of few words, but wise words. My father always knew what he wanted in life. He decided to be a dentist when he was a sophomore in high school. He knew he wanted to serve a mission, he knew he wanted to join the navy; he knew he wanted to marry in the temple and have eight children. My father did what he set out to do. As a child he tried to instill this in his children. Being the eldest of eight you would think I was his favorite son but being one of six boys the odds were against me. My father taught us how to be men. He would have us work in the yard, or encourage us to help our mother when she was pregnant and still today. He taught me a great deal of being mature even though I didn’t really act it as a teen. In my teens however I tried to steer clear of my father. My father was mild but I was the kid who could get anyone to “boil over” and I did. Since then I feel that I have severed a tie between us. In the moment however he did teach me something. He taught me that no one should ever back talk your wife. I was giving my mother lip and I got it from him. My father taught me kindness as well because whenever I would be mad, he would still come in and tell me that he and my mother still loved me and they were always here for me wanting me to do my best. I have always tried to keep this at the front of my mind, that they always supported my decisions and were there to help me out however they could.

            I am grateful for my father and his example to me as his child. He lived up to the words found in the family proclamation that “fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” My father did exemplify these qualities even though I may not have noticed as a child and a teen. Being older now I can see the help he was to me.

My Future Family

            What are my plans for being a father? In my mind, I am more “baby-hungry” than my wife is. The reason is that more than anything in this world I wish to be a father. I want to be that role model in my children’s lives of someone they can look up to. I have always dreamed of the day that I can rear children in this world. In a talk by President Boyd K. Packer, he talks about the world and rearing children in this turmoil and confusion. He states, “the safest place and the best protection against the moral and spiritual diseases is a stable home and family.” I question, who is to lead this family in these things? It is the father’s role to provide, protect, and preside over the family. I know it will be hard to raise children but my plans have always been this:

·         Put my family, and children, first.

·         Go on father child “dates” as often as I can.

·         Be there for them both physically and mentally.

            I have always imagined myself as being that “fun” dad but then again who doesn’t! I love the thought of my children being in my home. I cannot wait until I can hold that eternal calling of father. I love my father and the example he set for me and the “template” of what a good father can and should be. I can’t wait to spend time with my children outside, on vacations, indoors, playing games. The fact that I have been given this chance to be a father makes me excited and like President Packer stated earlier in that talk I mentioned before, I do not fear the future.