Becoming A Better Dad

Our lives are full of distractions that keep us from the important things in life.  One of the things that I’ve seen in my own life and in the life of other dads is that when we are with our families, we aren’t really there, we are distracted.   I think that you can probably identify with me; your talking with your kids but thinking about that project that you would really like to get done, or maybe your playing a game with the family and the cell phone goes off.  All of these distractions take us away from our families when we are with them.  We rob our families when we are with them but aren’t really with them because we are distracted.  They deserve our full attention.  So this weekend I am making a special effort to truly be there with my family, to make sure that when I am with them, I am really with them.

Here are five distractions that I need to eliminate:

Turn off the cell phone-putting it on silent mode isn’t enough you will still see the call and then spend your time wondering why they called.  If you have a smart phone that shouldn’t be shut off, then turn it on silent mode and put it in a drawer where you can’t see it.

Shut down the computer-whatever it is, it can wait!

Put the book/magazine/newspaper down-I love to read but I have come to the painful realization that being in the same room as the family as I read a book to myself does not count as spending time with them.  Put the book/magazine/newspapers down and engage your family!

Turn off the TV-I don’t know if you’ve tried to have a conversation with your wife while watching a football game but just let me say “Don’t!” Many times I have overestimated my abilities to listen to my wife and watch a game, it has always ended in disaster.  Take my advice, turn off the tv.  There is nothing more important on that box than what you will experience with your family.

Put all projects on hold- for the most part I am a task-oriented person, I like to get things done.  I have a tendency to be thinking about projects when I should just be enjoying my family.  I have to learn to put the projects on hold until it’s time to pick them up again.

What are the things that distract you when you are with your family?

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