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Thoughts on Father's Dayby Moniqua Acosta Father's Day is one of the days June is most noted for. It is a time to remember our "fathers" or "father figures," and express our love and appreciation to them. In the U.S., the day was made official in 1966 by President Johnson. Canada also adopted this idea of honoring father figures and celebrates this day as well on the 3rd Sunday in June. Some research suggests the idea for Father's Day stemmed from a woman who wanted to honor the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising her and her siblings as a single parent; his birthday was in June. The woman who initiated this holiday thought it important to have an involved and caring father figure in her life, and it continues to be important to all children to have a positive male role model in their lives. Fathers are becoming more active in their children's lives as ideas about "traditional family roles" continue to evolve over time. There is a lot of information out there for dads, to help them build healthy relationships with their children. For instance, it is important for fathers to respect their child's mother, whether they are presently married to her or not. It is also important for fathers to earn the right to be heard. This means that a father should begin talking and sharing with his children when they are young and listen to the ideas and problems they have. A father should not speak with his children only when they have done something wrong. Child-father relationships are also enriched when a father reads to his children and spends time together with them during a meal. This is a time when the family can be together and kids may share things or ask for advice. And reading to them when they are young can instill in them a love for reading. And most important for a father to do is to show appropriate affection to his child. Dads need to feel comfortable hugging and telling their children they love them. This lets the child feel they are special to their father and loved by him. In society today, being a father is a very important blessing. A good child-parent relationship cannot be built in one day. It takes a lot of time, energy, love and prayer. If you can be a good father, you can help ensure your child will grow up happy and healthy and your life will be more abundant.
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