What is a Father? A True, Real-Life Definition

In this video, a member of the Stuff4Tots writing team shares his experiences as a father and addresses the question “What is a Father?”.
Here’s his story.
Welcome to the Stuff4Tots channel, made by moms and dads, for moms and dads!
What is a father?
To boil fatherhood down to the male role in the act of human creation would be nothing less than criminal.
If you had a good father, a bad father, or never knew your father at all, you understand where I’m coming from.
All fathers are created equal, for every man becomes a father in the same way, but that ends the moment your child is born.
At that point, your fatherhood becomes a legacy.
Everything you do and say, how you treat your wife, friends, co-workers, spend your spare time, deal with frustration and stress - it’s all recorded in the mind of your child and has a profound impact on the way they develop.
Fatherless children are more likely to suffer from disciplinary issues, end up in jail, commit arson, and drop out of high school.
That’s the short list for absent fathers, not terrible ones.
Obviously, being present is an excellent start, but what else makes a father good?
I believe the answer to that is best found in the qualities that make up fatherhood itself.
A Father is a Social Connection
Unless your family lives in the middle of an alligator-infested swamp, you probably won’t start off as a protector.
But the moment your child comes into this world, you will be someone to make eye contact with, a reassuring voice, a pair of loving arms, and so on.
At the very least, you should make up fifty percent of the human interaction your child receives during infancy.
I can’t stress enough how important this is.
Regular interaction with your child during their formative years is the best way to ensure they mature in social, cognitive, and emotional skills, many of which peak before age four.
Read our article on “The First 1000 Days Determine The Rest of Your Life”.
So, as one half of the parenting spectrum, the father is blessed with a tremendous opportunity to have a positive social and emotional impact on his child.
Think about it.
Mommy is going to be exhausted right after your child is born (especially if she’s breastfeeding.)
Now, your child won’t need a lot of entertaining when they’re younger, nor will said entertaining need to be very complicated.
So, while mommy is getting some much needed rest, dad can step in and provide the oh-so-important mental stimulation.
I kid you not, something as simple as looking your baby in the eye and telling them about your day will go a long way toward healthy brain development.
Your presence in the home becomes increasingly important as your child ages.
Your behavior will become a blueprint for your child as they build their lives, one day at a time.
How do you treat them?
How do you treat their mother when your day isn’t going the way you think it should?
What kind of language do you use when you get that ‘everything’s falling apart’ phone call from work?
How much do you drink in the evening?
What do you do when your back is against the wall?
See what I mean?
As your child gets older, you become a model of the human condition for them.
Your behavior could set subconscious mental goals and limits for them.
My father was a drunk, why should I be any different?
My father yells at my mother every time they fight, it always worked for him.
Remember, what you do on a daily basis is a big indicator of who you are as a person, so if you want your kid to turn out better than you did (and who wouldn’t), start doing the right things now.
Continued in video...
What is your definition of the word “father”?
Is he someone you can totally rely on, someone who is your role model?
We’d love to hear from you!
Let us know in the comments below.
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Thanks for watching!
Enjoyed this video? Check out our website and UA-cam channel for more parenting tips and resources you might also enjoy:
What is a Mother? A True, Real-life Definition of “Mom”
www.stuff4tots...
• What is a Mother? A Tr...
Do The First 1000 Days Determine The Rest of Your Life?
www.stuff4tots...

[@CubicDude]

well, it's been 3 years and no one commented in this amazing video, i guess im luck to be the first guy. so yeah just want to let you know that this helped me write a great poem

[@wisdombegun12]

Thanks @cubicdude :-) Appreciate the kind words. Hope your dad had a great Father's Day.