Fathers ARE important

This week in class we were able to talk about how fathers are important in the home, and in raising their children.  There are many things a father can do to make a closer bond between him and his children.  Church authorities as well as professionals on the website fatherhood.org has explained just how crucial it is that children are being raised with a father figure in their lives. 

Elder Perry an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stated that men need to always provide for their wife, and children, and if circumstances permit, to let the wife stay at home and raise their children.  I think that this is wise in that the home is where the majority of the learning should be happening.  Parents should teach their children love, compassion, charity, finances, sex, the meaning of hard work, and many MANY things that can be learned elsewhere.  It is wise counsel to teach our children rather than having other kids in school teach them skewed concepts that could harm their faith. 

On the website, fatherhod.org, gave some great examples of what fathers need to do to ensure that they are on the steps to becoming an involved father in wife.  In the article, '5 Questions Fathers Should Ask Themselves," it said that fathers need to control their emotions, and be positive role models to their children.  The boys should want to be like their fathers, and girls should look for attributes in guys she dates that correlate to her dads example.  It also stated that the father needs to use love instead of punishment when dealing with disciple.  Punishment that is harsh, and unnecessary will take the children away from the things that they are supposed to be doing, and rebel.  Discipline that is firm, yet caring will get the message of love across. 

I am grateful for the information that we have been given to know that fathers are important in a families life.  They are not just there to work, and to make things, and fix things, but to raise and be an active part of their children's life.  Father's are important, and in a world that is filled with sin, need much loving guidance to lead away from the temptations that will be thrown at them. 

So let's get to work!