Today we take a day to recognize the Paternal figures of our lives. The men who’s influence goes beyond fertilizing the egg. To the dudes that work extra hard to guide their sons and daughters to be productive adults just to be the third person mentioned in the acceptance speech. [SOURCE:Killer Mike ] Well if you are reading this then you probably know what biologically it takes to become a father, but what does it take socially to become a father that’s great. 

• 1/2 cup of pics

Take them often. Its come to a time if you haven’t seen a recent picture of their child down their timeline people start to wonder. Its the equivalent of the wallet pics or the one on your desk in the office.

• 2 heaping helpings of Love

Its not enough to just love em. You gotta love them unconditionally. My father was great at letting me know that no matter what happened that his love for me could not change. It wasn’t dependent on how good I behaved or what my GPA happened to be at the time. My existence was enough for him to love me. That can do wonders for your esteem.

• 1 gallon of Guidance [not puppetry]

What is that old adage. “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he wont bother you for any more fish” or something like that.  Children need to be allowed to think and learn how to make decisions. I’m a big fan of initiative. Thinking for yourself and searching for your own solution should be applauded.

• tablespoon of Patience

Oh will they ever test you. After they’ve learned to read , let them read to you. Allow them to tell you about their day.  Wait for them to tie their own shoes, even if they have to do it 20 times in a day you let them do it. And don’t do it for them.

• Season with your Passions

 There is no better way to get to know a person than to find out what they are passionate about.  Everybody has that one thing that they talk about and they talk at twice the speed. Their eyes go from sullen to bright at the mere mention of this topic. Children are not fools. They know their parents often times better than we think that they do.  When they are at school talking to their little friends they are most often describing you by your occupation or your hobby. If you are really fortunate they are one and the same.  Give them something to brag about.  The action doesn’t matter as much as how happy they see that it makes you.

• 1 lb of  Presence 

Children will ask you for presents but remember you for your presence. If you are gonna spoil a kid with anything there are worse things than spoiling them with attention.  Being around and showing up to their events makes them feel important. Everybody needs support. Especially children.

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If you notice, nowhere is the mention of having to be a genius or millionaire. As a matter of fact those things will probably hinder your greatness as a father. Fill your children’s lives with more experiences than things and they will have memories of your times together that they will cherish and share with your grandchildren. There’s no one right way to do it. We do the best we know how and when we learn better, we do better.  Make sure to get lots of hugs and kisses from your lil ones today.

If there’s something else that you think is needed to be a great dad. Share in the comments below or tweet me @SoularPowered