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I had an epiphany about being a good dad the other day as I was coming home from work. Striving to be a good father is like driving to your destination without directions. You know what the goal looks like but which lanes to stay in & what exit ramp you’re looking for is a mystery. I think at the core of the “dad compartment” in every man’s heart, is the desire to be a better dad than he is and have a valuable legacy to pass on to his children.  But the question still lingers in the back of my head and many other dads too whether they say it out loud or not.  What do I have to do to be the best father my children could possibly have?

I’m still fairly new to the realm of responsible fatherhood.  My children are still pre-school age.  In many ways I’m still thinking like a lone ranger though.   Haven’t fully accepted that all the time that used to be my time is no longer my time but now its our time.  Over the past few weeks I’ve just been gaining so much insight into the caliber of man that I can be  and the type of father I want to become.  Now I’m being more deliberate about listening AND hearing what my children are talking to me about.  Even if they do talk funny.  LOL   Making sure that their time with me isn’t encroached upon by the laptop, cellphone, the television or my general deficiency in the area of patience.  I’ve learned its a good idea to do all I can to let them know that there is nothing that they can’t come to daddy about.  Now what that’s going to mean when they become teenagers someone will have to give me a clue about but hey for now I’m just cruising and enjoying the scenery.

Since watching The Kid and The Shadow Effect a few weeks ago I’m not only falling in love with one of the hardest and sometimes most thankless jobs in the world (being a father) but I’m becoming more conscious of what they get from me when we’re together and what I get from them.

It really does feel good to still be fresh with the scent of new fatherhood after  4 years.  I don’t know about you but I’ve already seen situations that were beyond my ability to  control that worked out for the best so I know that a crucial ingredient is faith in the Most High.    The more I depend on God the more I’m able to stop stressing over getting it right so much and just enjoy the ride on my way to being a dad.   And a darn good one at that.  The cool thing about art is: It can be what ever you want it to be.

What epiphany about parenting have you had recently?  If you’re not a parent yet are you already telling yourself how its going to be?