by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: June 20, 2009

Father's Day is almost here. It is a time of praise for dads. It may see gifts of bad ties and treasured, but poorly constructed crafts from children. While we may not always make all of dad's dreams come true on his special day; we are reminded of how special he is to the family.

Dads are the strength and backbone of the family. They are the leaders and set the whole plan for family life into motion. When they are absent from the family, there is usually a giant space, a hole where a definite void is felt. Father's are vital in the lives of their children.

The dads, who are part of their children's lives regardless of where they themselves live, have taken on the responsibility they must embrace. Parenting is a two- person job and if two parents are available, it must be expected that each half of the team will do their part. For the dads that take their responsibility seriously; we just want to commend you on doing a good job.

Being a single parent is difficult for anyone, but most women can fall back on their experience of helping with brothers or sisters or babysitting. Many fathers haven't that experience to rely upon. They are not prepared for raising children, especially on their own. More dads today may be, but to the majority, it is still foreign territory. When a father, under these conditions, takes on the job alone, he must be congratulated. I personally know many single fathers who are doing a terrific job.

When we stop to think of what a father contributes to the family, we find there is a variety of roles he plays and responsibilities he is required to master. The father in a loving home sets the direction for the family. He is the foundation that everything is based upon. He is the rock that faith can be built upon. He sets the rules for the family lifestyle just as the mother is responsible for the emotional health of the family. Father's offer their strength of character and practical wisdom to many families. Their example of what makes a father is the ideal both daughters and sons will look for in their own parenting experience.

It is vital for fathers to play an active role in parenting. Today's young fathers are more likely to take on quite a lot of the responsibility with their children than our fathers were in the past. But, we still see dads who believe that the job of raising children belongs to the moms.

A dad is important in so many ways besides being a wage earner. Fathers have a very positive role

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