The Lost Art of Being a Family Man

This article is centered around the lost art of being a family man and how society has forgotten about certain core values and morals. I have written this with a man as the center of attention or focus. This is done for the sole purpose of reminding everybody that the influence a man has on his family is tremendous and is not all about a huge paycheck every week. He is not superior to or better than any member of his family but acts as a role model, teacher and mentor for his children and an equal partner and best friend in a meaningful and rewarding marriage to his wife.

Without the core values and principal centered morals, he cannot be a true family man. He must figure out what it takes to create a balance in all aspects of his life and act on that balance vigorously. He needs to identify what is influencing him, his family and his marriage and make the necessary changes to correct a problem or alleviate the influence.

I remember when I was a young boy, maybe 10, I had purchased a plaque for my dad for father's day and it read "Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to a dad". I saw that phrase almost 30 years ago and there is not a single day that goes by in my life that I don't reflect on it.

It has such powerful implications and meaning and I no longer ask myself which one I am, a dad or a father. Truth be told, I am a dad and a very good one at that. I know that may sound pompous or arrogant but when I look around at the family that my wife and I have created I can't help but say to myself "we've done good".

Being a good dad is not measured solely on how many times you have a catch with your son or daughter or by sipping tea at a teddy bear tea party, or creating a massive G.I. Joe fort. It's about balance, patience and attention. It's about all the things that society has said that we as men need to do; Earn a good living, provide a safe home, love, honor and respect their mother, set a good example and so on. I truly believe that it goes much deeper than all those things. To get to the heart of the matter you really need to evaluate what is important and what is not. It's also about priorities and necessities.