The Joy of Fatherhood

In honor of Men's Health Month, and because Father's Day was last week. I wanted to talk about one of the "Toolz" for Men's Happiness. Some of the happiest men that I know are those who have been able to care for and be present for their children. Even if the relationship between the two partners didn’t work, they try their best to be present for their children. Whether living in the same house or not, children seeing their parents working together, sets them up for success. They need both parents. What brought this to the forefront of my mind was two fathers that I came in contact with last week. One I'd known since he was a little boy who is all grown up with 2 kids. I was at a party, his daughter arrived with his mom but as soon as his daughter saw him, she was attached to his hip, and then in his arms. They were inseparable. I caught them on the dance floor. I asked him "Have you earned a good Father’s Day tomorrow?" He said, "This will be my first Father's Day". That made me sad. What that said to me was that something happened why he had not been with his children in the past on Father's Day. I said a little prayer that going forward it would be different. Last Wednesday I was at the store buying a card and I saw a handome young man holding a baby in a baby carrier close to his heart. I asked him, "Is that your baby?". He said "Yes Ma'am" I asked him, "How old are you?" He said, "20". I asked him, "Do you understand the assignment?" He said, "Yes Ma'am". I said "You are going to do great. I'll be praying for you". I also prayed he had adults in his life to help guide him. I wish I would have said a couple more things to him. That he should read to her every night and that when she is older, have her read to him. That that will help her to bond with him and increase her reading skills. I should have told him to make time to take her for a walk at least once a week. To my young men, be careful who you have children with and when you have children. They are expensive and if you cannot contribute to taking care of them, you might not be able to see them. Every child that you have is a piece of your heart outside of your body. Trust me when I tell you some of the happiest men that I know are those who have been able to care for and be present for their children.