There is a McDonald’s commercial which shows two parents racing to get to their house, competing to be the first to give their son his Happy Meal.  The dad hands it to the boy, thinking he will be the hero. The commercial ends with the boy saying, “Thanks, mom!” and the dad looking like he lost again.

While the commercial provides good humor, it also provokes some important questions:
Do you ever feel that way? Does it seem that no matter how much you do, you are invisible?

Take heart. You do matter and your role is extremely important. It doesn’t just look like your wife’s role and that is okay. You are half of the equation God created to raise children to healthy adults.

Dads serve many purposes and they help define what a man can be. Children learn what strength with wisdom can be when they watch their fathers handle the challenges of life. They learn what it means to feel safe and protected with a dad who will hold their hand or carry them through a crowd. Teens learn dads have nerves of strength when they get behind the wheel of the car for the first time; they demonstrate honor and respect because they listen to what they are saying.

Children of all ages want to know their dads value and care about the things which are important to them. Trust is built over time and respect is critical in developing it for the later years of life. Looking at them when you speak to them, paying attention to your tone of voice, and being thoughtful of how your decisions impact them will solidify a foundation which will serve you well throughout your parenting journey.
Like many of you, I have been glued to the Olympics. There are some great father stories coming out of these games and I hope you catch them.  One of the most intriguing was Apolo Ohno. He said when he went to the Olympics in 2002, he didn’t perform at the level he was capable. After the games were over, his dad took him and dropped him off in a cabin and told him he would be back to pick him up in a few days. His dad was upset with him, not because he had lost, but because he had quit. His father knew what he was capable of doing and had watched him lose heart on the ice. That was simply not acceptable to this father. He wanted Apolo to think about what he really wanted and dig deep down within himself to discover the strength his father knew he had.

Needless to say, this father was intentional with getting his son to think and we have witnessed Olympic history because Apolo is the most decorated Winter Olympian ever to compete. Dads teach life lessons in a way moms don’t and can’t. They bring a confidence to the child that is based upon strength, truth, and hope.

The next time it appears as if mom is the only game in town, step back and smile. Your presence is a priceless gift and the doors of opportunity for you to step into that fatherhood role will open.  Make sure you seize every moment you can because they will be out of the house before you know it and your role will change again.

Think about it!

Catherine