Fathers – new ones, experienced ones, those who live with their children, those who are estranged, those whose children have left the nest… and those who are no longer ‘in touch’, for whatever reason. The following are, I’m sure you know, recognisable statements commonly said, thought or heard:
- “Am I good enough?”
- “Was I good enough?”
- “What if, and I wish I had…”
- “Where did I go wrong?”
- “I am so proud being a Dad!”
I suggest if you cared, at all... you are, were, and will always be ‘good enough’! #dads Click To Tweet
Contrary to popular belief, a father is fallible! Fatherhood is anything but an exact science. A father, just as any other human, will communicate (at times) less efficiently or ideally as he would care to because of ‘lack of knowledge’, or other factors such as stress, their experiences as a child… the list could go on and on.
Fathers, who put you in charge?
You are a bi-product of your upbringing and your experiences in life; it is acceptable, actually preferable that you make mistakes or how else will your child learn this? Do you really want your child to put you on an impossible to maintain ‘pedestal’? Sure, we all want our children to be in awe of us and to turn to us in times of need or simply for a reassuring hug, and why not?
Remember though, you can and should be a human who can demonstrate ‘ignorance’, show pain, weaknesses, and areas for development and even turn any areas of knowledge deficit into joint learning exercises where you are able! Try Laughing at yourself – with your child!!!
It is never too late to redress that which you believe caused harm! Acknowledge any actual or perceived failures and forgive yourself. If an issue needs talking through, do this… and then leave it where it belongs.
What is it that makes you think you are anything other than ‘Dad’? #dads Click To Tweet
You co-created a legacy. Your responsibility is, simply, to do your best and care. Doing your best is what YOU know to be your best; for others, it is simply perception.
Forgive your mistakes, your harsh words and criticism, your inappropriate behaviour at times. It is never too late to learn, to redress and to nurture a new relationship based on the here and now, and leave the past where it belongs.
It often helps to talk to someone impartial and outside of the family about how you feel, what you want to communicate, how to express your feelings. It also helps to understand first and foremost why you feel or felt the way you do.
It is never too late to forgive yourself and/or to start over; you really are the best! #dads Click To TweetPlease do share your experiences and help yourself to help others via my You Tube Channel or email me at the details below and I will put the main themes out as a follow up article. I will maintain anonymity where requested.
For more advice, in person or via phone please contact me, Bob Brotchie or give me a call on 01638 563 222. If you are outside of the UK, send me a message and we can talk online as I do with many of my clients.
Bob Brotchie is a counsellor, life coach and creator of Conscious Living by Design™. He writes for Anglia Counselling, is featured on various other websites and introduces us to many guest writers all covering topics related to mental health and wellbeing.
Bob provides bespoke counselling services to clients in the privacy and comfort of a truly welcoming environment at his Anglia Counselling company office, located near Newmarket in Suffolk, England. Bob also provides professional online counselling, for local, national, and international clients. The therapeutic models offered are bespoke to the client’s needs, especially those in receipt of 'childhood emotional neglect' (CEN), whilst integrating a mindful approach to psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) principles. For clients experiencing trauma and/or phobia, Bob offers EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).