Here’s Why Your Dad Is Actually A Hero

“There is no greater name for a leader than mother or father. There is no leadership more important than parenthood.” – Sheri L. Dew

History has always commemorated mothers and the struggles they’ve faced but it doesn’t say much on the sacrifices fathers have made for their children. A father’s role should never be underestimated. After all, he helped you with your first step, he taught you how to read, he pushed you to use your imagination and he encouraged you to experience things. In good parenting, fathers are the yin to a mother’s yang.

I once read a quote that said, “When you’re young, you think your dad is Superman. Then you grow up, and you realize he’s just a regular guy who wears a cape.” This still holds true in my special relationship with my dad.

My dad and I always had a fun relationship. My mother was the primary disciplinary but dad was the entertaining one. Never one to tire of talking, he knew all the words in the Oxford Dictionary and always shared anecdotes of his travels (which I now think were mostly made up). But his wild imagination and unparalleled storytelling are what made my childhood fun – and I seem to have inherited that from him. He’s always encouraged me to follow my heart and not be ashamed of anything.

My dad and I still go book shopping together. We even sneak out sometimes to grab a quick lunch and talk. Whenever I want a break from my busy schedule, I call him up and he never fails to make me laugh. My dad, without a shadow of a doubt, is still my best friend.

Today, when I see my husband with our children, I’m overjoyed by the sweet bond they share. Their faces light up when they see him and the mood completely shifts. He has so much patience with them while he teaches them things.

Unfortunately, some people still believe that fathers only have two roles to fulfill: financially and practically. But many fathers today understand that they should mentor their kids and be fully involved in parenting.

With more women entering the job market, the traditional roles of mothers and fathers has changed. A recent study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) shows that fathers are more engaged in caretaking now than ever before. They’re changing diapers, feeding them at night, taking them to the doctor, sharing drop-offs and pick-ups, and helping with homework.

These studies just prove that if your child’s father is affectionate, supportive and involved, it’ll make a huge impact on your child’s cognitive, language and social development. Not only that, your child’s relationship with their father will affect all of their future relationships.

This just confirms something we already know – a father’s role in a child’s life is significant and today we celebrate all those fathers, who are doing a great job in raising their kids, even when no one expects them to go the extra mile. Happy Father’s Day!