“Fathers can and do change the world one child at a time”

Suggestions from a father, educator, mentor and community activist:

1. Fathers respect your child’s teacher(s)

One way to support education is to model respect for teachers and
administrators. Fathers speak more by their actions than words, so
visit schools and praise teachers and administrators.

2. Fathers spend time in the school

Sometimes it is more valuable to listen than to speak. Fathers must
trust teachers to tell them the truth about their children even if the
truth hurts or challenges making changes to discipline, doing homework, requiring tutors or not participating in sports or after school activities.
The priority of school is education.

4. Fathers discipline with Love

Many of us have humorous stories of being disciplined when we were of youthful vigor and energy. We understood later we were wrong in some of our actions and choices and that discipline was done with love.
So fathers must continue to have love in their hearts and minds and discipline fairly and with love.

5. Fathers are Role Models

Fathers are the first role models, even when we don’t think our kids are watching, they are and other kids do too. So our actions speak louder than words. We can’t say “do as I say and not do as I do” because we send the wrong messages and set our actions and words up to be hypocritical and without meaning.

6. Fathers are Teachers

When a father teaches it is by his actions not always by his words.
The first teacher should be the child’s parents. They establish the
foundation for future success. Even if he was not a great student in school
fathers can teach their children from their mistakes to help their
children to be better academically and behaviors.

7. Fathers should share meals

A great time to share is when eating together. This is a relaxing time
to joke, share, encourage, engage in fun conversation. Sharing meals
should not be serious times, but memorable ones starting with prayer.

8. Fathers Read to their Children

When my children where toddlers until middle school their mother
and I read to them at various times during the day and when it was
bed time. This created an atmosphere where reading was fun. When
they were able to be allowed to read to us. Even though we
divorced, I still read to my children to keep the consistency and fun
of it. Fathers that are not strong readers should read to their level
and build as their children develop. Learning together should not be
an embarrassment it should be a cooperative effort to show
comprehension. In addition, literacy is vital.

9. Fathers Show Affection

Fathers cannot afford to be “hard” and unemotional, this creates
unstable emotional behaviors in children that cause confusion and
conflicting emotions for stability and expression. Fathers have to
model love, proper affection, sensitivity, common sense, compassion,
tenderness. These are what children need to learn to function in
society.

10. Father's Job is Never Done

At the time of this writing 2015 both my children are in college,
working, driving and in some capacity they are still dependent on
me. Fathering is a lifelong responsibility even when children are
maturing into adults themselves. Fathers are the cushions, the barriers that God has placed to make the world less scary, less threatening and less depressing when the challenges of life attack our children.
Children need to know that daddy will be there not just for money,
but for encouragement, advice, praise, love, prayers and sometimes
just a silent shoulder to listen and arms for reassuring hugs. Fathers you must decide what kind of dad you want to be, it is a choice, a responsibility and personal decision.

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About the author of this article:  William Jackson is a graduate of South Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Education. He also graduated from Webster University and got a Master's degree in Educational Technology. His career in education spans over 20 years,  He taught in elementary schools as a STEAM. In addition, he was a Physical Education teacher and at an HBCU-Edward Waters College in the Education Department he taught educational technology. William has been blogging over 10 years and made conferences in Philadelphia, (Pennsylvania), Miami (Florida), etc. The above article was originally published on www.thyblackman.com and the author wrote for years on this website. His blog is located at http://MyQuestToTeach.Wordpress.com.  He tweets at @wmjackson and his Instagram account is http://Instagram.com/WilliamDJackson.  He can be reached at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  In addition, you can click here  www.blogtalkradio.com/blackhistory/2013/12/20/malcolm-xs-daughter-author-activist-ilyasah-shabazz-little-malcolm to listen to his great interview with Malcolm X's daughter.