Fathers are Essential

 

Fathers are essential. It seems that the importance of both a father and a mother in a home raising children is becoming less and less popular. Research shows that a child raised by a married mother and father is the best environment for the child. We should not be worried about how we feel as much as we are concerned about our children. We need to put our wants and desires aside as we consider the rights of a child. A child has the right to be reared by a loving father and mother. Let's not rob them of their rights and toss our duties aside.

Speaking of fathers specifically, they bring a great deal to the family and the competence of their children. Fathers typically participate in much more rough house play than mothers do with their children. This teaches children boundaries. As they play around with their dad, children learn when enough is enough. They learn how to fight-play with others without hurting or offending them.

Fathers also teach children boundaries by letting them take more risks. This sounds counterintuitive. However, if you are told not to climb a tree or jump from rock to rock across a creek, you will not learn where the boundaries are. The fact is that children will encounter challenges that they need to overcome. They cannot succeed in life without first learning from their mistakes. I believe it is better for them to take risks and make mistakes while they are young with their parents close by rather than wait to take risks until they move out and go to college. They will go to college feeling inadequate and unsure of themselves without a childhood of appropriate risk-taking. Through risk-taking and rough house play, fathers build their child's confidence. They make them feel that they can conquer the world because they tackled their dad when they were just four years old.

Fathers build relationships. Growing up, my dad was not afraid to be the "bad guy". He would be the one to wake up the hibernating bears (also known as teenagers). While I did not love him turning on the light to wake me up or getting on our tail to prevent us from being late to church, I see how it helped me to grow. It also lets us siblings connect in a way. If we could not beat our dad in a wrestling match, we could work together to defeat him. It brought us closer as brothers and sisters. I now see that my father taking on the "bad guy" role was really a sacrifice that he made to help us progress spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Fathers need to provide for their families. It seems that you have to have an income to afford a house and take care of your family's needs. However, a second income could cost you money rather than earn you money. The average second income brings in less than one dollar per hour. Mothers sacrifice raising their own children for mere cents. I do not want a babysitter to raise my children. As mothers, it is our duty to nurture and care for our children. If we decide to go to work to gain a bit of income, our expenses are likely to increase significantly. You are likely to spend more money on childcare, gas, car maintenance, professional attire, and more.

Typically, when you earn more, you spend more. Instead of sending the woman off to work just to earn more money for your family, consider creating a budget. Track your spending to really see where it is going. You will be surprised by how much you can save just by sticking to your grocery list and eating out slightly less than you do now. Stewarding your money will greatly bless you and your family.