Fathers are Fantastic

Due to thanksgiving this week we only meet in class one time, but during that one time we talked a lot about fathers and finances. If you are like me I really don't like talking about finances, it just stresses me out and makes me scared that one day I will have millions in debt (silly I know). So instead of talking about such a sad and serious topic I want to talk today about FATHERS!

We were asked to find a research article on the benefits of having a father or father figure in the home and discuss why we feel these are important. My blog post this week is mostly going to be based on my paper so here it goes.

"My dad is the best dad ever." This is something you hear everyone say on fathers day, but I am hear to tell you that if you have ever said this you are terribly wrong and I am sorry to be the one to break the news to you. Truth is my dad really is the best, now although that is crazy and silly it is true. My dad is the best dad ever for ME.

In the research article I found 5 pieces of information I found the most important, they are:
1. A father provides protection for their children, economic support and a male role model.
2. Children who feel a closeness and warmth with their father are twice as likely to enter college.
3. Father encourage competition with leads to independence.
4. A child's happiness, well-being, social and academic success is based on their relationship with their father.
5. Fathers introduce children to a wide variety of ways to deal with life and provide kids with social experiences.

So as you read that list I hope it got you thinking of some things you agree with or disagree with. I hope it got your wheels turning to all the things your father did for you or all the things you wish your father would have done for you. Whether your father is a superstar dad or a dead beat, fathers impact their children's lives more than I think they sometimes realize.

I can easily say my dad was all of these things for me. Throughout my life I have learned how important the role of a father is to his children. He is one of my favorite people. My dad was a superhero in my eyes, I still remember being scared of monsters in my closet when I was little. My dad opened up our front door and yelled outside for all the monsters to leave our house alone. Of course I believed him because my dad was invincible. One thing I would like to point out though is that a relationship between a father and child takes some effort. I know I would not have the relationship I have with my dad today if I hadn't gone on plenty of road trips with him, spent days just him & I, and involved him in what was going on in my life. Because we had a relationship well established when I was younger it made the hard teenage years a little easier I like to think. I saw a lot of my friends completely fall away from their parents, for me that was never an option because our bond was already so strong.

I would like to also mention that the relationship between my father and I isn't perfect and I am sure there was some times it was really bad, but I think the important thing is we both keep working at it. He has loved me my whole life, he always has believed in me & in my dreams, even when I know he wasn't impressed with some choices I made he still stood by me. I can't imagine going through life without knowing my dad loved and supported me. That is a huge thing for a child growing up. Fathers are so so important to children, more than they probably realize.

So today, this thanksgiving holiday, express your love to your father. I am sure if you think hard enough they really have shaped you into who you are today.
Thanks for reading & have a great day!

The BEST dad out there!