Advice from a Dad - Dr. Peter
The moment when a parent looks into the eyes of their newborn child for the first time, their life is changed forever. Words cannot describe the depth and beauty of that moment. The world makes sense like it never did before.
Becoming a dad carries with it incomparable joy and equally so, tremendous responsibility. Although there is no “magic formula” for being a dad. I can share some suggestions.
Be the person you want your children to be. Children learn by example (we all do). Our kids model our behavior, our values become imbedded in their psyche and our words become part of their vocabulary.
There is no better time than “NOW”. Reading a book, listening to an accomplishment, watching them perform in a play or compete in a sport, or whatever, do it now.
Cherish every moment. Life is short and time passes so quickly. It seems like yesterday that my 38-year-old was in a stroller.
During tough times, love even more. As corny as it sounds, love conquers all. The tough times in parenting (oftentimes during the teenage years) sometimes push us to our limits. Those are the times, more than ever, to speak and act from the heart. Logic sometimes falls apart.
Treat your partner with respect, kindness and love. How a child sees their parent (especially their father) treat their partner will create how they interact with future partners. Your relationship as parents profoundly influences what your child will accept and mimic with their life partners.
Always keep a sense of humor. Laughter not only helps adapt through challenging times, but it is also a great way for family to bond.
Family time is sacred. Spend time together as a family. Whether a hike, a board game, a vacation, watching a movie, or eating a meal, family time creates memories, opens conversations and builds bonds.
Give yourself permission to not be perfect. None of us are perfect. It is ok for our children to see this, for us to take ownership of it, grow from it and learn from things.
At the core of all of these is to TRUST. Trust that there is a perfect plan to our world, and we are part of it. Trust that you have everything you need inside of you to be the best possible dad. And trust that little voice on the inside of all of us, our intuition, that knows the right thing to do even when logic and conventional wisdom tell us otherwise.
Happy Father's Day,
Dr. Peter Kevorkian
