The Role of a Dad in Parenting

Everyone knows that the traditional role of a dad is to provide for his family. This is usually achieved by taking up a paid employment. Other ways of achieving this is by owning your own business. The ultimate goal is to find a means of providing food, clothing and shelter for the family. But beyond this, I’ll like you to read the extract below:

A dad is respected because he gives his children leadership.

A dad is appreciated because he gives his children care.

A dad is valued because he gives his children time.

A dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most-himself.

I recently read the above somewhere and I could not help but to keep thinking about each line. Let’s look at the first line which says ‘A dad is respected because he gives his children leadership’ the question is do you give your children leadership or do you boss them around? Making them feel like one of your tenants. Or do you take your time to truly lead them in the right path, be it spiritual, physical, academicals, social, moral e.t.c.

The second line says ‘A dad is appreciated because he gives his children care’ Do you really care about your kids? Children like any other human beings require great care. This way you are able to win their trust and appreciation as a beloved Dad.

The third line says ‘A dad is valued because he gives his children time’ Time is of the essence. Do you make out time for your children or are you forever busy with your secular job while neglecting to create time for your children? These are questions you must answer if you must be a successful Dad.

Finally, ‘A dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure most-himself’ This is where most dad fails because they are so busy working and working to make money to provide for the family that they have even forgotten to interact with the same family.

Come to think of it, what is the sense behind hording yourself from your children. When I was growing up, I longed to have my dad around in my trying times and also at my best times but it never happened. I think that a dad ought to know that it really takes very little to make a child happy. Simply make yourself available by breaking down all walls of tough and unfriendly face. Smile more; come closer to your children. Let them know that they have you. You’ll be surprised that you are more than a treasure to your kids.

Stop that pampering NOW!

There is a bugging question I'll like us to consider below:

Are we as parents accountable to God concerning the children that He has given to us?

Unfortunately, most parents don't like to consider this aspect. Of course you must have heard this saying 'You've got your OWN life to live'. Notice that I have laid emphasis on the word 'own' to call your attention to the fact that some or most parents as the case may be feel unconcerned about what God thinks about the role they are supposed to play to make their children better members of the society.

On the other hand the above statement might be true but can you recall what happened to Eli (I Sam.3) when he failed to play the part that he was expected to play in the lives of his two sons? The result is that God cursed him and the priesthood was taken away from his lineage FOREVER. I will like you to pay serious attention to the fact that God is not partial; He is not a respecter of anybody. Gal.6:7 says 'Do not be deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sows, same also shall he reap...' simply put, what you sow is what you'll reap.

Also, Proverbs 6:12 says 'Train up a child the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he grows up'. This means that the way you are raising your child is very important. You cannot afford to imbibe the luxury of some law that does not recognize what God who created conception and gave safe delivery tells you to do.

The truth is that God is not against discipline. I had earlier mentioned this in my last post. The fact that God is not against disciplinary action cannot be over emphasized. You cannot, however, afford to bring up your child in a hostile environment; otherwise he will not know the meaning of true love. Such a child will definitely grow up hating people and the society. But you must understand that bringing up a child in an atmosphere of true love includes discipline. This can be supported by Proverbs 13:23 which says 'withhold not correction from a child, for if thou beatest him with a rod he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell'. Also note that the reverse of this scripture is valid.

Do you really want your child to stop this folly? Then discipline him in love and stop that pampering now!