Acknowledge and Honor the Small Accomplishments

Nothing is more satisfying to a young child than hearing his or her father saying "I am proud of you". These are words that can give lasting confidence to a child.

I found myself giving my youngest son a lot of praise the other night as he continued to learn new words while reading his Thomas the Train book. I was truly proud of his accomplishment and I wanted him to know that. Even though I don't think he knows how much of an accomplishment he is doing at the age of 3, he does know he is doing something good and he was happy when he heard me say that I was proud of him. At that point, he wants to do more of what he just did in order to hear me say again that I am proud of him. Do you see where I am going with this?

As fathers, we need to acknowledge as many things as possible that our children are doing to give them the confidence they need to continue accomplishing activities in their young lives. And don't wait for the big things to happen to acknowledge your child. Honor every little small thing that your child does. All the small acknowledgements build up to make a large bucket of acknowledgements.

This needs to start at birth so that when your child reaches the teenage years, they are overflowing with confidence...they will have the courage to take on any obstacle that may come their way.

While it is good that both parents provide this acknowledgement to the child, it is key that a father does it. A father's approval goes a long way with both sons and daughters.

Give your child the confidence that will last a lifetime.

Be strong and talk to you soon.

Daddy's Little Girl

A new chapter has started in my life and this chapter brings a new perspective to me as a man. Earlier today my daughter was brought into this world. I currently have to boys in the household and I have a clear picture and plan on what I need to do to ensure they leave my house as young men. I now realize that with a little girl in the house, a new plan has to be put in place to ensure she knows what a good man is and that she knows how she is to be treated by a man once she becomes a woman. I must say that there is a strong sense of protection that I feel I must provide with my daughter and I know that I will do everything in my power to ensure she is protected along with my other children and my wife.

As a "true" father, I vow to love, provided, protect, and pray for my little bundle of joy for life.

All my love to little "Addy"...daddy's little girl.

Be strong and talk to you soon.