Thriving in Your Role as a Dad

Do dads have to be perfect?

The answer to that question seems obvious: No.

But what if the answer is yes?

Nobody’s perfect, of course. We all fall short in word, thought, and deed every day. That’s why we need God’s grace.

But hold on. Even if the goal isn’t literal perfection, can’t every dad improve somewhere? This isn’t condemnation, this is a call for men to rise up and thrive as fathers. After all, being a dad is one of the most important jobs a man will ever have.

By almost every measure, fathers who are actively involved in their children’s lives have a powerful influence. Children do better academically and are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. They’re twice as likely to go to college, 75 percent less likely to have a child in their teen years, 80 percent less likely to be incarcerated, and half as likely to struggle with depression.

So what would the “perfect” dad look like?  In answer to that question, author Rob Stennett reminded me of an article that assembled the perfect quarterback. I used to play quarterback, so that got my attention. The finished product was Frankenstein – Peyton Manning’s mind, Brett Favre’s heart, and Aaron Rodgers’ arm.

Maybe that’s a good way to think of what makes a “perfect” dad. What roles would he fill? What character traits and values would he have? To answer those questions, we’re talking with Rob Stennett about the principles that he’s learned as the father of four daughters.

With plenty of humor and insight, Rob will share essential roles for every dad, including:

Provider – Managing the stress of balancing work and family by establishing clear boundaries between home and career.

Pastor – Teaching children the wonder of Scripture and how they can cultivate a vibrant faith in God.

Husband – Modeling a healthy relationship for your kids by focusing on your spouse’s needs first.

Counselor – Helping your kids avoid emotional pitfalls by becoming their most trusted source of wisdom.

And there’s more. Tune in for my conversation with Rob Stennett on “Thriving in Your Role As a Dad” on your local radio station, online, on iTunes, via Podcast, or take us with you on our free phone app.

I’d also like to offer you Rob’s book The Perfect Dad: A Totally Achievable Guide to Not Messing Up Your Kids for a gift of any amount. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459). If you can’t afford it, we’ll find a way to get it to you.

We also have many other resources related to marriage, parenting, and faith available in our online store.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, kids, parenting May 21, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura