Fatherhood tips: How to be a great dad

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It's not so easy being a father but that’s not an excuse to run away from the responsibility of becoming one. A good father can make all the difference in the life of a child. There's no one-way to ensure that you'll be a great dad but here are a few tips to help steer you in the right direction:

Discipline with love

Being a disciplinarian is one of the many roles fatherhood has in store for men. This doesn't mean that you should punish your children for their small mistakes. Children need guidance and laying out clear, reasonable limitations for them will help make them better people. Sometimes they need tough love coming from daddy but make sure that they also get positive reinforcement for doing a good job.

Make time for your children

While it's a father's job to be a provider for his family, working all day everyday without setting aside time for your children is a big no-no. Children, especially your sons, need the presence of their fathers in their lives. Make time for you and your family to bond and be involved with your children's affairs. They will love and respect you for that.

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Be a teacher and a role model

Children need their parents to set a good example for them and to teach them right from wrong. A father's job is to show his children to be honest, humble and responsible members of society. He should lead by example and be a role model for his children to emulate.

Be open-minded

A father should understand that his children will not be exactly like him. Even if you've named him your junior, it's not a guarantee that he will like the same things you do and be your mini-me. You should be open to the changing times and how your children act because it's the norm for their generation. Do not seek to change your children's personality to match your ideals and standards but instead accept them as they are because you should love all your children unconditionally.

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My name is Christopher J. Keehner and I'm a family man running my own business. Follow me on Twitter where I share my daily thoughts on fatherhood and raising children.