One of the best parts of football, and the most difficult, is watching film as a team. The film doesn’t lie. It shows the team and individual players all the things they did well and their mistakes. While it’s hard to watch, it’s needed to get better.
Being a great father takes the same dedication. If we want to get better as dads, we need to regularly evaluate ourselves. As for where I’m doing well and where I need work, here’s my evaluation of myself.
Doing Well: Being Available
I think I excel as a dad in being available to my kids and doing things they enjoy. My time is important to me and much of that time goes to them. It’s a lot easier now that I am retired from coaching football. I have more time to give and giving it to my kids is essential to their growth.
Needs Work: Being Patient
The older I get, it seems the less patient I get. We’ve had a lot of kids, so I often think, “They should know this by now. Why don’t they have this down pat?” I find myself not as patient as I should be, especially with our younger kids. So that’s something I’m still working on and asking God for help.
Sound off: How do you think you are being a great father? How do you need to improve?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is one thing you wish I did differently as a dad?”