The Impact of Fathers in a Child's Journey.

This week holds special significance for me as I've been learning the topic of becoming a better provider and exploring the profound influence fathers have on their children's lives. Before I embark on this journey, I want to take a moment to reflect on my own father and share my experiences. I invite you to join me in this exploration and hope that we can learn together. As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comment section. Let’s get right to it.

Many of us believe that we have the best dad in the world, and I am no exception. I believe that to be true because I also happen to have that father-son relationship with my dad. From a young age, I have cherished memories of my dad. It's the little memories like walking me to school, helping me with homework, and helping me prepare for exams that seem to create a bond between us. Over time, our relationship has grown even stronger, and now he is not just my father but also my best friend. I aspire to become as exceptional a father to my future children as my dad has been to me. Who is your father to you? Do you admire him? What valuable skills or lessons has he imparted to you? Personally, I have been fortunate to receive countless lessons and skills from my father, too numerous to count.

I believe that having a father figure helps establish important standards within the household that everyone can follow. It comes with the responsibility of providing and protecting the family. Sometimes we, as children, don't understand the struggle and hardship our parents go through. The sooner we realize and understand how things are going in our family, the sooner our relationship strengthens. We feel a sense of belonging and purpose because of what our parents go through. There were times I got corrected, but it all came from a place of love.

This week, learning about divorce rates and the single parents made me realize how much some people miss of having a father / mother figure in their life. The influences are countless. This doesn’t mean that if you are raised with a single parent that you are unfortunate. But rather, it is undeniable that the presence of both parents can offer a unique and multifaceted set of perspectives and experiences that contribute to a child's development. In some cases, having one parent has resulted in children growing to be stronger and more adaptable to their circumstances, but that is not the majority.

Children who are raised under the influence of both parents frequently get the chance to watch and absorb the dynamics of a balanced, healthy relationship. They observe the teamwork and respect that are necessary for a successful partnership, giving them a strong basis for their own future relationships. While for the rest, which doesn’t include all, it does get difficult for both the parent and the child as they go about in their journey to have the best possible outcome.  

For those of us who were raised by both parents, let's appreciate the advantages of having both parents involved in our lives, recognizing their individual contributions and the significant influence they have on our journey to become the best versions of ourselves. I hope we get to offer a hand for support to families, neighbors, and the like that don’t have the same opportunity as you and I do. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child receives the love, guidance, and stability they need to flourish, regardless of their familial circumstances.