Dads: Talk to Your Kids

It is interesting to notice the role that dads will play in the lives of their children. Often, these men will be the ones who demonstrate how to rough house or they will introduce their son or daughter to the world of sports. Dad may be the one who leads the child to a specific career or teaches him or her how to cook.

While the individual roles dads can play tend to vary from one family to the next, one important element should enter into the relationship between the father and the child - communication. While I realize this tends to take the man out of his comfort zone, it really only has to feel strange until it becomes habit. And, this habit can be a key driver that will determine the ultimate relationship between father and child. It will also determine how that child views the world and their place in it.

For a long time our society has devalued the role that men play in the lives of their children. Sure, there are men who make lousy fathers, but that is a direct result of their character, not their gender. Overall, men play a vital role in the development of a child and communication is an important part of their interaction. Start the regular practice of conversations with children at a young age and when they become older, it won't be as awkward. In doing so, the child will grow to respect the father as a result of honoring his position in his or her life and the implications will be far-reaching.