The Greatest Joys

The family is under attack.

Two of the more disturbing examples are ideas that have gained acceptance more and more in recent years. The first is that dads don’t matter. The second is that kids get in the way of adult happiness. I’m here to tell you they’re both lies.

First of all, make no mistake, dads do matter. Every day at Focus, we hear from families all over the country. The stories they share confirm to me again and again just how crucial a father’s influence is in the lives of his children.

I also know from personal experience how much dads matter. I grew up without one. I see the importance when I listen to my boys talk about their daily lives and future ambitions, or when I’m able to offer them direction in life. I’m sure you feel the same way about your children.

As for children getting in the way of adult happiness, modern parents would do well to understand what past generations knew intuitively: parenting isn’t all roses, but kids are the source of some of life’s greatest joy.

We may have less money for cars or extravagant vacations. But all it takes is your kids’ first steps or a stormy night when they climb into bed with you to understand that kids don’t detract from our happiness, they’re the source of it.