All dads want to be the best fathers they can be. Here are four ways to do it.
Staying Healthy
No matter who you are, what you do, or how much you take care of yourself, a disease will sometimes strike and change your life completely. In most cases, you will soon recover either by taking a break or getting some kind of treatment or medication from your local hospital. In others, however, the process won’t be as easy, and it will be necessary to make important modifications to your lifestyle.
For instance, if you or one of the other members of your family suffers from a degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or Dementia, you will have to look into professional Alzheimer’s in-home care support and be willing to make the required changes in your life. And while this process will certainly not be easy, with the proper guidance and assistance, there is a strong possibility you will get through it.
Still, the best thing you can do is control what you can control and be proactive with your health. This includes regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and adequate amounts of sleep.
Taking a Break
Most men understand the responsibilities that come with fatherhood and being a husband. In addition, they are willing to take on those responsibilities head-on, work hard, and provide for their families. They know that as men, they are physically stronger than women and children and thus do not shy away from long hours of physical and mental labor to put food on the table and a roof over the heads of the people they love.
Yet, that doesn’t mean they are not human and do not get tired. It doesn’t mean they don’t have moments of weakness where they need the support of their spouses and friends.
A strong man is not one that never crumbles or keeps treading along until there is nothing left. In fact, it is quite the opposite. A strong man understands and has the courage to admit that he cannot do everything. He is intelligent and knows when to push and when to let go, put in a maximum effort, and retreat and have the energy to fight another day.
Keep in mind that if you burn yourself into exhaustion, you will not be able to do the things you want and need to do not only for yourself but also for those who depend on you.
Finding a Balance
As you get older, the priorities in your life change. This is true whether you are a man or a woman, a father, a father-to-be, or a single guy. Accepting this undeniable fact is part of the maturing process and something we will all have to deal with as the years begin to pile up.
If you used to go to the bar every Friday night with the boys and possibly a few girls, chances are you may not be able to do this any longer once you become a dad. Needless to say, if this was your plan every Friday and every Saturday, it will definitely not be something you should even try asking permission for. Unless, of course, you are looking for a fight.
Still, no law says you cannot do it once in a while. If you speak to your spouse if you’re married and reach an agreement that is based on trust and benefits both of you or you find a reliable babysitter for your children if you’re a single dad, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get a few beers, reminisce, and unwind.
Embrace It
Fans of the Star Wars Saga will probably remember an exchange between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi near the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. When Anakin tells Obi-Wan that he is either with him or against him, Obi-Wan replies, “only a Sith deals in absolutes.”
But what does this have to do with fatherhood? How does it relate? Well, like almost any other thing in the world, being a dad is not something that will always be great. By the same token, it won’t be a life filled with but regret, sadness, or disappointment either. All in all, it will probably be a combination of both, moments where you wouldn’t change your situation with anyone combined with instances you think it was the worse decision of your life.
The key is to embrace both good and bad. Only then can you learn the most and make this life-long process much more fruitful.
If you want to be a great dad, stay healthy and remember to take breaks. Finally, look for a balance in your life and embrace fatherhood. These are things all men can do to better their lives and that of their families.
