Being consistent… what exactly does that mean? Consistency simply means to be constant. Being a consistent father means being there through good times and bad. It means being someone your children can rely on. The hardest part for many fathers is to be consistent in their actions, love, and teaching.
There are countless components that go into being a consistent person, but we have compiled a list of the top 5 priorities for being a consistent father.
The first priority of being a consistent father is to simply be there. You need to be available to your children. You do this by talking to them, asking open questions, and concerning yourself with their lives. Unexpected events and hardships occur, and as a father, you have the responsibility to handle them consistently. You need to spend time with your kids, this is more important than ever. You have a great opportunity to provide fatherly care and comfort to them.
Second, don’t make promises you can’t keep. Most everyone thinks they are honest, but there are many times when we may commit to little things and not realize we aren’t following through. This sounds small, but for your child, it is very important that you are able to do what you say you are going to do. They are learning what trust and love look like through your actions, and that is a responsibility we must take seriously.
Third, apologize for mistakes and be willing to change. ALL people make mistakes, which means ALL fathers make mistakes. A father who wants to be a consistent influence in his children’s lives needs to be able to see the mistakes he is making, apologize for them, and then change his actions. It is not common to meet a father who is quick to apologize and who works hard to change. This process can be one of the hardest for fathers to practice but it is guaranteed to be rewarding, in the fact that your children have a deeper respect for you, for being real in their lives.
Fourth, stop making excuses. Excuses are any words you use to deflect the blame for your actions onto someone or something else. Many excuses are good ones, but that doesn’t mean they are good to use. Even though it is hard, being consistent means constantly taking responsibility for yourself and your family from beginning to end.
Lastly, be consistently flexible. You don’t need to be consistent by doing the same thing the same way for every child. You need to be consistent in doing what is BEST for each child. If you have multiple children, it is likely that their personalities will be quite different from each other. There must be a desire to reach each child in the way they need to be reached and what is best for them.
If you want to truly shape your children, to provide them with the parenting they need, then you need to consistently be there for them over the years. You don’t need to be the world’s greatest father, the world’s richest father, or the world’s kindest father; what your children need most is for you just to be a consistently good father.
Did you know we can help you to be a consistently good father? Our fatherhood program, Fathers in Training (FIT), was created to parallel our Earn While You Learn program for mothers. FIT is a free program that will challenge you to be the best father you can be by walking alongside you through our skill-building classes and mentorship. If you are interested in enrolling in our FIT program, contact us today!
Options Health is a safe place where you can confidentially come and discuss sexual health, pregnancy, and relationship issues with one of our patient advocates. Feel free to contact us today to take advantage of our free services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasound, pregnancy options consultation, STD testing, and abortion aftercare. Call us or text us to schedule an appointment. We are here for you and ready to listen!
