| Most kids adore their dads. Unless the father is | | | | - Read them a book or comic book. Try to act out the |
| abusive, addicted, or criminally inclined, children have an | | | | scenes since kids love seeing their parents act goofy. |
| extreme love for their fathers. I remember when my | | | | - Watch a movie at home. |
| boys were much younger how they would run to the | | | | - Wrestle with them. Yes, I said wrestle. Most boys |
| door when they heard my keys in the lock. Even now, | | | | love to play fight and relish the chance to beat up on |
| I still catch them copying me in subtle ways and | | | | Dad. And many girls do too. |
| quoting me like I was the final authority on everything | | | | - Just talk. |
| from cars to comics. | | | | - Take a drive together. If they're old enough to sit in |
| However, despite this natural love, it does not hurt to | | | | the front seat, let them sit with you talk about anything. |
| do things with your kids to round out the experience. | | | | - If you're artistic and you can paint, draw, or sculpt, |
| Think about your kids thirty or forty or even fifty years | | | | then do it together. Even if you're not artistic, you can |
| from now. Do you want them to remember you as a | | | | still do it together. |
| workaholic with no time for the family? Or just spaced | | | | - If they're into athletics or drama or music make it a |
| out in front of the television? Or always angry and | | | | point to see them perform as often as possible. |
| bitter? | | | | - Play with them. Play baseball, basketball, football, |
| Of course not. So I'm going to list a few things that | | | | street hockey, soccer, tag, hide and seek, video |
| fathers can do with their children to help create a | | | | games, chess, checkers, cards, Monopoly, tic-tac-toe, |
| wonderful bank of memories. And hopefully, fifty years | | | | and whatever else comes to mind. Just play together. |
| from now, your child will think back and reminisce | | | | And now for some activities that might cost some |
| about just hanging out with their dad. | | | | money. |
| Before you pack up your offspring and strap them into | | | | - Go to the movies. Just make sure you take them to |
| the minivan, first try to understand them. You probably | | | | something they want to see. |
| already think you know your children. However, you | | | | - Go to a sporting event together. |
| might be surprised what you'll learn about them if you | | | | - Visit a children's museum. |
| commit to some analysis or long conversations. | | | | - Visit a real museum. Not all kids will like this, but some |
| Maybe you like baseball and football. Maybe they don't. | | | | might. |
| Maybe you're a great artist. Maybe they can't draw a | | | | - Visit the zoo. |
| straight line. So study you children and find out what | | | | - Take a class together. My sons and I take a martial |
| they like. | | | | arts class together. Find a regularly scheduled class in |
| Also try to find some common interests you both | | | | music, art, or sports and enroll together. |
| share. Do they like drawing and coloring? Maybe you | | | | As your kids age, they will eventually stop wanting to |
| can introduce them to some of your favorite childhood | | | | do things with you as often. That's only natural and |
| superheroes. Do they like Harry Potter? Do you | | | | there isn't much we can do about it. However, if you |
| remember some of your favorite books as a kid? Get | | | | spent a lot of time with them during their younger |
| them a copy and maybe they'll like it as much as you | | | | years, then you should have had ample time to give |
| did. | | | | them good advice and coaching that they will refer to |
| I suggest you try to do things together that you'd both | | | | when faced with tough decisions. Of course, no matter |
| enjoy. The more you enjoy something, the greater the | | | | how old they are you should still continue to give sound |
| chance you'll do it again in the future. | | | | advice. |
| Here are some things you can do that generally don't | | | | I have one more piece of advice for you dads out |
| cost any money. | | | | there. Behave yourself. As the parent, you must lead |
| - Ride bikes together. | | | | by example. If you are bitter, spiteful, gossipy, malicious, |
| - Take walks together, preferably through parks or in a | | | | or just down right dirty, your kids will pick up the same |
| serene environment. | | | | habits. |