Celebrating Dads and Role Models

First, Happy Father's Day to the those who are dads. You have such an important and huge role in a child's life. How a child sees life and goes through life is directly impacted by your affirmations of them, what you believe about them, your advice when they have challenges, as well as your modeling before their eyes how to keep going through thick and thin.

Children are like little sponges soaking up what you say about them and about others, how you treat them and others, learning what your body language means, picking up your mannerisms, your vocabulary, and your outlook on life as well as on their ability to succeed. What an important role you have! While nobody is perfect, keep giving it your best shot. Keep it real and admit your imperfections to them and keep trying. Most importantly, stay teachable so past mistakes can become springboards to becoming the best dad you can be.

Second, I know that not everyone is a dad, but sometimes guys step up to fill the shoes of a dad who is deceased, or serving our country, or who is absent for other reasons, or because of disabilities needs a little help to fulfill his fatherly role. Those guys are far too often overlooked and not celebrated on Father's Day when they too play a vital role in a child's life. There are guys who become mentors and heroes and men who speak into a child's life, taking them places and doing things with them when the biological dad is not present. You deserve to be celebrated too for all you do!

So to all of you, whether dads or significant role models, I celebrate you and wish you another wonderful year of being the best at what you do! :)

Colleen