Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s…as Kermit said it’s not easy being green, just like it’s not easy being a father. I want to honor the man who took the time to listen to his kids share their imaginative stories, feelings about the mundane, and plans for the future. This is a personal post, about my dad, and what I believe he has tried to instill in me throughout the years.

• Do what you love, the rest will follow.As a kid, my dad always said that if we did what we loved, it would seem less like work and more like developing our innate skills and passions. Whenever anyone asks me about my work- my response is “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it” because I have a genuine passion and curiosity about being a psychologist.
• Speak up about your feelings.How often do we shut ourselves down to keep the peace? Whenever there were hard feelings to share, my dad said and would say “Let it out- even if you cry it out, let it out. Don’t keep the stone in your throat.”
• Be a bit cynical/curious and think for yourself.“Question everything, even me,“ is what he said. Read, read, and read from many sources before you make an opinion. Read straight from the source, not only opinions and summaries about the source.
• Wish them well.When things don’t work out, no matter how upset, disappointed, and fumingly angry than anything in this world. Wish them well. End things with a clear conscious.
• Trust in yourself.Check-in with yourself in moments of doubt. Check-in with yourself in moments of self-righteousness. Check-in with yourself in moments of pride. None of those feelings get you very far but can teach you a lot about you and your relationships.

This Father’s Day, let’s commemorate the fathers who try to speak up about big feelings with their kids. Dads, you may not realize how much your words mean to your kids. When you share the joys when you explain your frustrations with them when you admit to your faults. It doesn’t make you less of a dad or a man. It makes you more of a strong role model for your kids – and your words will carry on with them in all parts of their life.

Read more about the father’s roles and how to take better care.