A Father's Day Ramble

We all have many roles in life.  For me, the most important and impactful role that I play is Father to Lexi and Jackson.  Being actively engaged in my kids lives, activities, friends and fun is the highest priority for me.  On this Father's Day, I thought I would share a few thoughts for fathers (and mothers) that I focus on as a Dad.

1. Be present - Whenever you can, give your kids your undivided attention.  It is easy to get distracted by chores, emails, work, television, etc. 
2. Get down and play with your kids - Whether they love toys, sports, stuffed animals, video games, card games (Pokémon in a favourite in our house), or whatever, don't just sit and watch, pick up that doll/action figure, game controller or deck of cards! 
3. Take Vacations - Many of the most vivid memories of my childhood are of vacations that my parents and I took.  It can be hard to break away from work.  The time that you have when your kids want to hang out with you is short.  Take advantage now and show your kids the world. 
4. Slow it down - Between work, school, sports, and activities parenting can sometimes feel like the entire family is running on a treadmill.  Make sure you make time to stop and smell the roses with the kids, enjoy the quiet moments, have a conversation, just be together.
5. Get to know their friends - As kids get older their friends will become more important and influential on your kids lives.  Knowing their friends will help you better understand your kids, will make them more comfortable being around you, and will help ensure that they don't fall in with the wrong crowd.

What are your parental tips for being a successful Dad or Mom?  Why not share them in the comments section below. 

Happy Father's Day to all my fellow Dads!  As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie