FATHERS DAY------Fathers and Daddies Celebrated
Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
It was once said, that almost any man can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy. There is more truth to that than most people know. When a stepfather can take another man's child and raise him/her as his own, then you have a real Daddy. Their stepfathers, all too often, mistreat stepchildren. Whether it is out of jealousy of the biological father, or jealousy of just having to share the child's mother, is an issue of consequence to both the child and the stepfather. It takes a good parent to recognize a potential problematic issue and honestly look for a resolution before it's too late.
Then ask themselves:
"Am I involved enough in my child's life?"
"Do I know what is going on in my child's life?"
"Do I care enough and do I show it?"
"Can I look at my child and get a sense for what he/she is feeling?"
"Does my heart fill with love when I look at my child?"
"Do I worry, seemingly too often, about their welfare?"
"Do I take time to ask him/her how his/her day went-do they have school issues?"
"Do I take time to help them with sports, school activities, church functions?"
"Do I feel as though I'm lacking as a Dad?"
Father's Day is a day to honor those Fathers who have past the test of being a real Dad. I was lucky-my father was a Real Dad. He was very good to his eight children and made us all feel loved. And as the song goes: Daddy's hands were soft and kind But strong when I'd done wrong.
Our Daddy knew how to let us know he loved us and knew how to keep us in line when we got out of hand. And we all grew up respecting and loving our father with all our hearts. If I could have one wish, it would be that all children could have a Daddy on this earth just like the Daddy that raised me. But for all those children who can't, may they know that there is a Father waiting for them in Heaven.
Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful Dads out there.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Sandra.Definitely food for thought. Our son married a single Mom and immediately adopted her son. We were so thrilled when a new birth certificate was issued and he was listed at his new son's Dad. That was back in 1991 and now our grandson is almost 13. We had an interesting conversation yesterday about his Dad and the man who biologicially fathered him. I told him that he was my grandson, and his Dad's son and that we loved him as much as any of the biological grandchildren that came later. He knows that he is special because he was the first. Blood doesn't determine family but love does!Great article!Iris S TaubParkland, FloridaAbsolutely, Iris. Love is what makes and holds a family together.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Sandra,Good article. And I happen to be a step-dad to my wife's two kids: Karen, 15 and Anderson 20. My wife tells me that they respect and love me much. Sometimes I am surprised by how the kids do honor and respect me, even though I don't feel I'm doing that much. But I must be doing enough.And I must say that I can answer in the affirmative to your questions. I think most dads can, but the big question is how often? I know I need to improve regarding all the questions, but I can see that my kids, at least for now, think I'm doing well.Thanks so much for a very important article. As a point of support, I can see how important a dad is to my kids, especially to our youngest, Mikie, who's four. We see time and again that his best days are those days in which I spend time with him. Not easy to do working sometimes 10-14 hours a day building a business. But even though I don't have lots of time, I do spend some time with him every day. It certianly shows in his disposition. I think if all dads cowboyed up to their responsibilities this would be a much better world. Peace!You certainly sound like a Dad who has earned the respect of love that you deserve. Happy Father's Day, Jeff. And have a great week.Sandra
Excellent article. I have been thinking about my daddy-Jim, and he certainly stepped up and treated us kids as if we were his own.Thanks for this great write and giving daddy's everywhere something to think about. Happy Fathers day to all the daddy's in your life. Blessings, teresaThanks Teresa for reading and commenting and wishing all these great Dads a Happy Father's Day---They deserve it.Sandra
Good article, Sandra. I, also, was blessed with a great dad. He died many years ago, but his influence lives on. Thanks for sharing.Thanks, Lorrie. Mine too has been gone for over twenty years, but I will never forget him. He was a wonderful man. Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
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