Today, let’s talk about how we value men who are involved in parenting skills on a daily basis. This topic is sometimes sensitive for a man if he has not been around young children. Make no mistake; men are as much a part of a child’s life as their mom. So, to learn proper parenting skills, we need you men with us from the very beginning. If you’re just now jumping into this new responsibility, then let’s have a little discussion of how it might play out.
Jean: Men, for proper parenting to work effectively, we must have you involved from the beginning to the end!
Man: How do I prepare to become a proper parent?
Jean: First, it’s important for you to know who you are!
Homework Exercise
- Get a full-length mirror and a journal.
- Looking at yourself in that mirror will allow your mind to take you inside of yourself.
While you are in there, find out:
- How you feel about yourself
- If you like yourself (good)
- If you’re not satisfied with all you see
- Write in your journal what you see that you don’t like
- Take a look at where you came from (if you don’t know where you came from, it’s hard to know where you’re going!)
- Do not allow your past to define who you are! Moving forward, not looking back, takes you into the future!
- Write down where you want to go in life. You will need a timeline; that is important.
To make this plan real, use a visual. Here’s what I suggest:
On a poster board, divide it into four squares. In each square, I want you to choose pictures from a magazine and cut them out. If you don’t have a magazine handy, you can use your drawing skills and draw this out by hand.
1. Cut out a picture of you, your wife, and the children and pets in your home.
2. Cut out or draw the house of your choice.
3. Cut out a picture or draw the car suitable for this family.
4. Now draw a picture of the job that will help you afford and maintain all this; add an ideal salary underneath the picture.
Man: Jean, this is a lot!
Jean: So is LIFE! Do not forget…preparing for parenting helps you become less anxious and more enthusiastic!
Men, as the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!”
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Preach!!! This so true…
A child can only be balanced if their dad is in the picture too. It doesn’t mean dad has to be perfect but at least show up…it’s an important part of planning.
What really resonates with me is the emphasis on self reflection and being content with who you are as a man before looking to lead a family. Understanding that your past is part of who you are, but it doesn’t define you is very important. You have to see it to believe it so visualizing everything you want for your future will serve as motivation to reach your goals.