1

Respect Your Children's Mother

The best family education a child can get is

having parents who respect and support one

 another—whether married or not. As Proverbs

 31:28 says: "Her children rise up and call her

blessed; her husband also, and he praises her"

 (New King James Version).

2

Spend Time With Your Children

A father's time reflects the things he treasures most.

 Children realize they are valuable to their father

when he is as thoughtful and concerned about

them as he is about his other interests. There is

no greater love than a father giving of himself

sacrificially to his children.

3

Communicate to Your Children on All Levels-

Not Just Correction

Don't just speak to your children when they have

done something wrong. Talk to them about everything.

Be interested in their views, issues and ideas.

If you do this while they're young, you'll find

dialogue won't be so difficult when they are older.

4

Discipline and Correct With a Gentle Spirit

"Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your

 children [do not be hard on them or harass them],

lest they become discouraged and sullen

 and morose and feel inferior and frustrated [Do

 not break their spirit.]" (Colossians 3:21,

The Amplified Bible). When you discipline your

children, be calm, yet firm. Do not discipline out

of anger. Our children need loving guidance and

correction. As Proverbs 3:12 says, "For whom

the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father

 the son in whom he delighteth."

5

Be a Role Model to Your Children

You are being watched and studied by your children.

 You have the opportunity to impart character and

integrity by your actions. Sons want to be "just like

 their dad." Daughters say they want to marry a

man "just like their dad." First Thessalonians 2:10

tells us, "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how

 holily and justly and unblameably we behaved

ourselves among you that believe."

6

Be a Teacher

"Fathers...rear them [tenderly] in the training and

 discipline and the counsel and admonition of the

 Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, The Amplified Bible).

Dad, don't leave the teaching to mom. Be alert

for everyday examples you can use to teach your

 children the lessons of life. A father who teaches

his children why things are right and wrong,

encouraging them to strive for excellence,

will be rewarded as his children make good

choices. (See Deuteronomy 11:18-21.)

7

Get Involved in the Lives of Your Children

Read to your children. Play with them. Listen to

 them. Go to their ballgames, school plays, band

 concerts, ballet recitals—stay connected to them

 in their world. Work with them on science

 projects, homework and other school activities.

 Eat together as a family and pray together often.

8

Show Affection

Children long for a secure place in this world.

 They find it in the warm embrace of a father.

As a child grows, so too does his or her need

for acceptance and a sense of belonging.

Fill your child's "love tank" every day with a

hug, a kiss, a word of encouragement. Take

every opportunity to say, "I love you." And then

demonstrate that love.

9

Give Your Approval

In Matthew 3:17, the Father said of Jesus,

 "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well

pleased." Oftentimes children spend a lifetime

 waiting for their father's approval.

 Don't make your children beg for your approval

or go without it. Make sure you acknowledge

 their accomplishments and let them know you

 are proud of them.

10

Realize a Father's Work Is Never Done

Fathers, your support will always play a vital

 role in your child's life—no matter how old they

 are. Long after homework, ballgames and

recitals are over, your children will still need

your love, support, guidance and encouragement.