Fathers Fun

As a father myself I know how hard it can be bringing up a child so here are
12 tips on how to be a great dad.

1. Always put their interests first.
Do you drink a lot or smoke? Well its no good as you are setting a bad example to your child. You will probably find as they watch you smoke or drink they to will want try it and of course this is not a good thing. Our children are mirror images of ourselves and what bad habits we have our kids are sure to pick up.

2. Protect them.
One of our many roles as father is protector. We must always make sure our children are safe. Child proof your home, teach them good safety habits, if you have a car seat make sure they use it.

3. Spend your spare time with them
When you get home from work all you want to do is relax, put your feet up and watch telly. I know its hard but you should spend at least 30 minutes or even an hour with your kids. Find out about their day, tell them about yours because as they grow up they will spend less time with, so you need to cherish these early years.

4. Give them hugs and kisses.
Some fathers are afraid to show their affection for their kids but children need physical contact and not just from the mother. Cuddle them, hug them, kiss them, show your affection and show your love for them.

5. Play with them.
When you get the time play with your children. Take them to a park, play sports, play a board game. There is an enormous amount of activities that you and your children can enjoy playing. My children love playing hide and seek with me, its simple and fun.

6. Do the mum stuff too
Many fathers leave a lot of the work to mothers thinking its not their duty as a father but guess what its just as much your responsibility as it is mums. Help change the nappies, help with the feeding, bathing, dressing. When you do these things you will find the bond between you and your child grow even more. You should jump at the opportunity to do these things because once they have grown up you will never get another chance.

7. Read to them.
This is a very important thing you can do for your child as not only is it fun for them but you are also educating them too and of course you are getting to spend quality time with them. I started reading to my daughter when she was 1 and now I am the only person she will let read to her.

8. Stand by mum.
Never contradict their mother in front of them, don’t fight with her in front of them, and most definitely don’t ever abuse her. How you treat their mother affects their self-esteem, and the way they will treat themselves and women when they grow up. Be kind and respectful and loving of their mother. And always work as a team never contradicting statements of the other.

9. Teach them self-esteem.
This is one of the most important points. Spend as much time as possible with them, talk to them, listen to them, teach them and most importantly praise them when they achieve something and encourage them when they fail.

10. Teach them the value of money.
This is not something that should be taught at a very early age but it is important. You should teach your child how to save, how to spend and how to manage money so when they are older and in the world alone they know the value of money.

11. Be good to yourself.
You should also treat yourself well. Take time out to do the things you want to do, maybe its socialising with your mates or playing a game of tennis or just taking a nap in the afternoon. Also look after your health because if you are not well who’s going to look out for your child.

12. Look after the mum.
Mums get very stressed with children so you need to be strong for her too. Help her when she needs, take her out for meal, show affection. Because when mum is happy, the children are happy and then dad is happy too.

If you feel you have more advise that could benefit other fathers enter it in the comments box for everybody to read.