Dads and the Power of Smell (See Video)
Happy Father’s Day! Earlier this week, I sat down and recorded a few minutes of video to encourage you. The basic message is probably not something you want to hear on Father’s Day: “Hey, dad. You stink!” But in this case, that’s a good thing! I talk about a few examples in this short video: I know some dads give off aromas that no one should have to share or remember—and talking about smells at all might be risky. But I know that just as you remember how your dad smelled, you can leave your own powerful and lasting impressions by letting your kids … [Read More...]
How to Have Quality Time with Your Kids
Leading up to Father's Day, there’s a national campaign to remind fathers of the important role they play in their children’s lives. It’s being promoted by the White House and various fathering groups, and it uses a common phrase for its slogan: quality time. I endorse this, because we need dads embracing their roles, spending time with their kids, and making memories together. And time is one of the most important, basic commitments that a father makes. Quality time with your kids is a great goal. At the same time, I hope that term doesn’t give you the wrong idea as … [Read More...]
How to Be a Dad Who Turns Difficulties into Blessings
How is fathering a child with special needs a “privilege”? Rob is a veteran father of four whose oldest child has Down Syndrome. Recently we were both in a group of dads, and Rob made this startling statement... He said that, despite all the physical, emotional and financial stresses, “If any of you ever get the privilege [of having a Down Syndrome child], it’s the greatest gift to your family, because it creates the sensitivity and the awareness of others that kids just don’t have.... It was a real gift to us; it made all our kids more compassionate, more aware, more … [Read More...]
Dad, Start a New Habit, Like One-on-one Time
I have a Father’s Day challenge for you this week. (I’m giving you some lead time to think about how you can apply it.) Here it is: Start one new habit that will make a difference with your family. Think about one change you can make that will benefit your children or bring you closer to them, and then let Father’s Day be a time when you make a strong resolution to be that dad going forward. Let me give you one example of the power this can have. This comes from a dad and granddad named Gary who read the guest blog from a few weeks back about dating your daughter, and … [Read More...]
Fathers 52 by Jay Payleitner
It's Good to Be the Dad by Clark H Smith