More Importantly: Fathers

Moms across the world are trying so hard to be the best parent for their child. We learn a new method, apply it, and then try something else. I know that I am constantly learning and I am always trying out new things in my family. It's a good thing to do that! But what's funny, fathers may have a stronger impact on our children than we do.

My mom had a strong impact on me. I have so many memories of her being at home with our family. Those are memories that I am so grateful for. What's interesting is that I probably have close to the same amount of memories of my father, who was working full-time and who left for several long business trips in my young life. This is just one realization for me that my dad has had a huge impact on who I am today.

"A father's leadership of the family is [his] most important unit in time and in eternity and, as such, transcends every other interest in life"  
- Howard W. Hunter

That's right, our husband's first priority is to his family. Well, wonderful mommies, we all know we're looking at this quote and thinking that we wish our husband's were the ones reading it right now. Here are some things you can tell him later:

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• Preside spiritually and mentally. Presiding will bring great blessings to our family.

"Father's who embrace the principle that fathering means to preside...in love and righteousness have an anchoring principle and a spiritual focus for their fathering efforts designed to bless the children and families they love."
(Pg. 142)

• We're in this together, always.

"The quality of a father's relationship with a child's mother is perhaps the "secret ingredient" that makes the fathering recipe work best for most men and their children." (Pg. 143)

• Be present in each of our family members lives. It matters more to us than you know.

"While a parent does not need to be constantly present to care for children, a parent's presence is a fundamental requirement if he is to meet children's needs and build a lasting parent-child bond." (Pg. 144) We all desperately need that sense of companionship from our parents, "a fundamental principle of fathering that meets this need is to be present in a child's life and consciousness, to be available and aware of a child's needs such that he or she develops in an atmosphere of security and love."

• Try to provide for us, and always protect us.

"To provide in fathering is to assume the stewardship of meeting children's needs and offering opportunities for their development, as well as dedicating one's time, energy, and resources for the benefit of the next generation." (Pg. 145) Protect us physically, emotionally, spiritually. Together, let's protect our children by helping them become independent and ready them for the world that they have ahead.

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We are our husband's biggest support! I hope that these are things that every father and husband would want to hear. Communication is essential between a husband and wife, especially the communication about our roles and influences that we have on our families. Together, as husband and wife, we can make our families stronger than we ever knew. We just need each other to do it.

Source: Successful Marriages and Families (Chapter 13)