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Do You Have A Growth Plan, Dad?
Courstesy of the National Fatherhood Initiative
1.) Define Growth for Your Family and for Yourself. As you answer the following questions, keep in mind that good dads engage their families in three major categories: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
- How do I define success for my child(ren) over the next 2, 5, and 10 years? How do I define success for myself?
- What are the key skills I can help my child(ren) develop that will help him or her achieve this success? What skills do I need to develop?
- What are Mom’s dreams and goals over the next 2, 5, and 10 years? What are some ways I can help Mom accomplish her dreams and goals over the next 2, 5, and 10 years?
These are not easy questions to answer, but the answers will form the foundation for helping your family grow in ways that will help them lead a happy, healthy life.
2.) Set Goals and Develop Strategies. Based on your answers to the questions above, you can now create goals and strategies to acheive them. For example, if one of the ways you define success for your child is for him or her to get in better physical shape, you could set aside time each weekend to exercise or play sports with them and watch their development. Look for ways you can grow and reach your goals together.
3.) Get Perspective From Unexpected Opportunities. Some of the best learning and growth opportunities pop up at times when you least expect them - after a long and challenging day at work, when you’re trying to watch the game, or at bedtime. Don't let an unexpected opportunity to teach, or learn, a new lesson, pass by unnoticed.
4.) Keep Your Fathering Skills in Shape. If you are to do an effective job preparing your family for growth, you must continually develop your own fathering and relationship skills. This can be done by reading books on leadership, gender communication, or by connecting with a group of other dads. You can also use interactive resources like the 24/7 Dad™ Interactive CD-ROM or, if you have a teen boy, the Boyz 2 Dads™ video-game type program.
As you think of ways to grow with your family, remember that the ultimate goal is to prepare your children - and yourself - to face life's challenges and trials. Growth is all about investing today in what will be tomorrow!
Happy Father's Day from your friends at the National Fatherhood Initiative!
Check out how we're celebrating Father's Day!
Source: Dad E-Mail, 06/10/2008, www.fatherhood.org.
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