The times we share with our children often become a lost memory to them. But to our children, these are the memories that shape who they are. Even the smallest things are deeply important; from going out for ice cream, to their first day of school, or attending their games and events. From my experience with my father, he would always attend my games. But seeing him at the game was a lot more important to me than the game I was playing. Even though he may not have known this. The time that he spent with me during the most significant moments of my life was so important and I will forever cherish them. I will never devalue my father for what he didn’t do.
Dedicating Time to Your Children
A lot of parents live busy lives, and they may be too busy to attend their children’s events. But If a parent is not able to make it to the memorable moments of their child’s life, then that could lead to sadness in his or her young heart. Hearing my kids laugh when they played sports gave me the greatest joy as a father. When I played games and did something great at sports, I would always look at my father to see if he was happy about it. His smile would give me a deep sense of satisfaction. Both boys and girls yearn for the approval of their fathers. That approval motivates the child to play harder in the game of life because of their deep desire to impress the parent.
Most of the time, the child needs that encouragement and advice from the parent on what they could have done better. It is always important for the father to provide both appreciation for what the child has done, as well as advice on what the child could have done better. Through criticism, the child can continue to grow and learn. I have always been a girl dad but I also dedicated time to my sons as well. From my experience with my children, I devoted a lot of time to teaching them everything from learning how to catch a ball to how to throw it. By teaching my children sports, I was teaching them about the game of life. I showed them both the mental and the physical skills that come with self-discipline and mastery.
One of my sons ended up excelling at football but he suffered a traumatic head injury while in college that led his career in a new direction towards the NFL. Although he wasn’t able to be an athlete because of his injury, he still became a part of the NFL Players Association because of the values, knowledge, and sports understanding that I instilled in him from an early age at home.
Reflections on Fatherhood
I have been a father since I was 23 years old. Today, I am now 63 years old as I write this article. During my 40 years of experience as a father, I had six children, three sons and three daughters. I never had the chance to experience life as a single adult male. I had to mature and become a father at an early age and take on the responsibilities that come with it. It has been far from easy, but today I feel blessed because my investment of time into my children is the greatest investment I have ever made. Even though I didn’t get credit for it, God still acknowledges it and that is what matters the most in my heart.
Final Thoughts…
In a world filled with distractions and busy schedules, it’s crucial for fathers to prioritize and cherish these precious moments with their children if they can. By doing so, they are not only investing in the well-being of their offspring but also in the future of their families and society as a whole. In the end, the gift of time is perhaps the most valuable legacy a father can leave, one that should be remembered and cherished for generations to come.
