Power Principles for Successful Fathers:
The Most Important Gift is Time. Nothing substitutes for our time and attention. Every father struggles with keeping work, self and family in balance.We have also found that not all time is equal. There is a difference between quality time and quantity time. But my experience suggests that it is tough to have quality time without enough quantity.
Teaching Responsibility. Fathers are in a unique position in a child's life to teach responsibility and the value of work. We teach it by example by keeping our commitments, by putting family first and by enduring hard times. We also teach by giving children stewardship and demanding accountability, whether it is with chores, school work or other aspects of their young lives.
Walk the Talk. Walking the talk--being what you want your children to be--is a symbol of integrity. Being a man of principle and living congruently with those principles is an essential element of successful fatherhood.
Consistency. Fathers are best when their approach is predictable and consistent. Children get a strong message when fathers are firm and solid in their approach. Being fair and consistent in discipline is important. Limits that are set and then moved are not limits at all, with either a child or with a parent.
High Expectations. Successful fathers set high but realistic expectations for themselves and for their children. And then they work together to achieve those expectations. They read together so that they learn how to learn. They work together to achieve important ends. And they celebrate their accomplishments and learn from their mistakes.
Expressions of Love. Fathers who have great relationships with their children have learned to express love in meaningful ways. They tailor their expressions to the way each child receives love. They are gentle but firm even when disciplining, and then show afterward an increase in love. They find little ways to express love, and they do it every day when the kids are living at home.
Mutual Respect. When a father shows respect for his children and others, they are more likely to respect him. Keeping expectations clear, being even handed and level headed, and respecting children's self-worth all help breed an atmosphere of mutual respect. And when a father respects their child's mother, regardless of whether they are married or divorced, children learn to respect him more completely.
Making Values Count. Successful fathers also teach values. They have a rich spiritual life (however they define that) and connect to nature and timeless values. They respect womanhood, they are honest, the live by standards of moral integrity. Great fathers help pass on these values to their children rather than leaving them valueless in a world where values seem to shift with the sands of time.(http://fatherhood.about.com/od/succeedingasafather/a/principles.htm)
Top 10 Ways to Balance Life & Work
How Fathers Can Teach Their Children Values
Communicating in Your Child's Love Language
Setting Appropriately High Expectations for Children
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