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A father’s gifts of quality time, life-giving words, and positive actions have a long-lasting impact on his children.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Have you ever wondered, “Do fathers matter? What differences do I make in my home as a dad?” Let’s begin with the simple answer — the importance of a father is tremendous! You make countless differences in your home and family. However, how much impact you decide to make as a dad is entirely up to you!
The importance of a father is vital to their children and the family.
When was the last time you genuinely or playfully smiled at your children? When was the last time you gave your kids affirmation, correction, and reassurance? If you haven’t recently, do it now and see what happens. What did you notice? Did your child light up or smile back? Did your child respond and shift behaviors?
I vividly remember one day when my seven-year-old son and I were driving in the car together. He told me he no longer wanted to become like Michael Jordan — instead, my son said he wanted to become like me! What an honor and a helpful reminder that he is watching and learning from me along the way.
As a father, how I live my life has a long-lasting impact on my children’s lives. A father has a significant influence within a family’s interactions and experiences.
The seven traits of effective parenting are a thoroughly researched and practical template to structure the application of an authoritative parenting style in your day-to-day parenting as a dad. Below are a few examples of how the 7 Traits display opportunities for effective parenting as a father.
Your habits, shared experiences, and little things you do provide the larger momentums within you, your child, and your family.
Imagine if you could pull back the curtain and peer into your life’s momentum. You might find yourself asking questions such as:
Let’s explore a few of the ways that momentum can positively affect your role as a father.
You can bring foundation and direction through consistent prayer and reading of scripture with your family. Tell your child why you love God.
You can bring awareness and resilience by being open to learning about and discussing the critical momentums created by emotions. Carefully listen to your child and teach him not to be allergic to emotions and feelings.
You can bring focus, confidence, strength, and pursuit through your words of affirmation. Teach your child the importance of guarding their thoughts since thought bubbles turn into behaviors.
You can bring closeness and steadfastness through your gentle love, service, and presence. Gentleness is strength under control. Teach your child about the importance and foundations of humility.
You can bring relaxation, adventure, pursuit, strength, affection, and activity to your family. Teach your child the benefits of being active and showing loving affection.
The best balance is working hard, playing hard, eating the right fuel for your body, and getting plenty of sleep. Perfection does not gain long-lasting love. Imperfections allow love to be genuine, deep, active, and growing.
The importance of a father to sons and daughters is significant. The influence of fathers holds life-long impact.
Vice President, Parenting and Youth
Dr. Huerta oversees Focus’ initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical and research based principles and guidance for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith in Christ.
Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, and co-author of Focus on the Family’s Age and Stage resource, and various other resources. He is also the co-host and expert on the Focus on Parenting and the Practice Makes Parent podcasts.
For many years, he has provided families with practical, biblically-based, and research-based parenting advice on key parenting topics. He has been interviewed by various media outlets including Fox News, Fatherly, Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, The Christian Post and CBN, and regularly speaks on Christian radio stations and podcasts across the United States. He’s also written for various publications and is a regular speaker at retreats, conventions, family camps, online events worldwide, and on various social media channels.
Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice serving families in Colorado Springs since 2003 and has also served families as an employee of Focus on the Family since 2004.
He and his wife, Heather, love the outdoors, have been married since 1997, and love spending time with their two adult children.
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When fathers take the time to build relationships with their sons, they help them develop their identity, confidence and perseverance
Many men feel they should stay out of the abortion debate. Leave it to women. Yet their voice matters and is wanted for many reasons.
When a woman first holds up that positive test, research shows that her mind most often goes to a potential resource and solution that many people on every side of the debate seem to have forgotten – the father.
