by S.W. Grange

Created on: April 26, 2008

If your a father reading this, when your done beating yourself up come on back and finish
the article. I'll wait for you. O.k, so now thats out of the way we can begin. Contrary to what you will read, hear & see, the responsibilities of being a father are really very simple. You do not have to be Ward Cleaver despite what many want you to believe. You do not have to be perfect. You don't have to be a former borderline major league prospect who's bad knee cost him a chance at "The Show". You don't have to have been "this close" from becoming an astronaut, fireman, policeman, dinosaur trainer or any Disney character. No, there are really only 5 Golden rules you need to do to satisfy every single father/child need there is.

First, tell your child that you love them every single chance you get. Day or night. Tired or busy. Good day or bad. Tell them you love them. Period. The more times the better. Just open you mouth and push those three words beyond your heart so someone else feels them.

Second, be there. Never, ever,ever,ever leave your child. This is one of the deadly sins. Under no circumstances is it alright to abandon your child. This means physically or emotionally as well. If you can't be obligated to your child then you need not have children. Not part time. Not semi-kinda-sorta. All the time. 24 hours a day, 7days a week. Forever. Period.

Third, work had every day to provide a better life for your child then you had. Even if you are under the impression that your child hood was the model from which all those 1950's super-family t.v. shows were born. Try harder. Each day concentrate on giving more to your children then you had. Be it love, time or money make it a priority.
Next,love & respect the mother. This one may be the most difficult for those who are divorced. Yet, it is still a must. In some way your children must feel as if there is still a connection between the two people who created them. They have to feel that they came from something special. Children believe that special things only come from special places. So,even if its for the few minutes a week that you interact with the mother you must remember that she is one your children's "special places".

Finally, teach them to believe in themselves. Teach them to love themselves. Show them that failing is a precursor for success. Instill in them the knowledge that love hinges upon nothing. It is always there. Regardless.

This is all we need to do. Simple really.

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