Dads Make A Difference

Top 10 Assets a Father Can Provide His Child

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

My wife and I are about to have our first child and I am more than excited! I'm a bit nervous though as to my role in raising my child. My wife has a million books offering advice for new parents, but it seems like most of the books are meant for mothers. I want to play an active role in my kid's life. Do you have any tips on what will make me the best dad possible?

Sincerely,

Daddy Dearest

A:

Dear Daddy Dearest,

Congratulations on your new baby! It's wonderful that you are already thinking about how you can be the best dad possible, and want to play an active role in your child's life. There are many things you can do for your child, but I'm laying out the most important things.

Top 10 Assets a Father Can Provide His Child: 

1. Availability - Be there. This doesn't mean a dad has to give up his job and become Mr. Mom. It means talking once a day -- in person or by phone. It can mean tucking your child in at night when you can. It means being at the dinner table on some kind of regular basis.

2. Communication - Listen and share your feelings. Children need to be heard. They also need you to be honest about your feelings.

3. Guidance - Raise your child consciously. Have a plan on how to raise your child, but be prepared to be flexible.

4. Financial Responsibility - Make enough money to raise your child and your family, and if you don't, then change your family's lifestyle so that you do.

5. Community Involvement - Be involved with neighbors, your local religious establishment, community events or any other situation so that your children understand team work is not just on the baseball diamond but in your house and your community.

6. Citizenship - Vote. Pay taxes. Get involved in political issues you feel are valuable, and show your children how they can have a voice as well as take responsibility.

7. Be a Good Friend - Your child will model friendships based on what he or she sees you do with your friends.

8. Be a Caring Family Member - Celebrate holidays with family and be conscious of how you treat your family. Your children are watching.

9. Be a Good Husband - When you honor your wife, you honor your children and yourself.

10. Values - Live consciously and when you teach your children values, make sure that you are not being hypocritical. If you find you are, then re-examine your own values and make adjustments.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.