HEALTHY KIDS · JULY 2018
DADS: TO WIN AT PARENTING,
YOU NEED A GAME PLAN
01
PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS
This might not seem important,
but taking time to play with your kids,
no matter how tired you are when you
come home from work, is one of the
best ways to build a relationship with
your child. There is actually evidence
to prove that when a father plays
affectionately with a child, the child
gets along better with peers later in life.
Good parenting happens slowly, over
time, by making a choice every day to
be intentional with your child.
02
If you’ve been keeping up with
March Madness, you know that tonight
Villanova and Michigan will play each other
for the NCAA National Championship. Right
now, the coaching teams are looking at their
game plans and discussing their strategies for
each play. They know that in order to win the
game, they have to focus on the plays.
It’s the same with parenting.
If you’re a young dad or a soon-to-be dad,
you are probably pretty frightened right
now. I understand that. I’ve raised kids of
my own. Parenting is a great challenge for
both parents, but dads tend to think it won’t
come as naturally for them. Many times they
question if they will be the right influence on
their kids.
Dads, let me reassure you. You have
everything you need to be a great dad to a
great kid. Your child needs you. You are the
center of his world in many ways, even if it
seems like his mom is more at the center
right now. You really are his hero, and how
you interact with your child now will affect
him for years to come.
Dads, let me reassure you.
You have everything
you need to be a great
dad to a great kid.
But don’t let this overwhelm you. Like the
NCAA coaches are doing right now, I like
to tell young dads to focus on the play, not
the entire game. This is something that I
once heard my friend, and tight end for the
Baltimore Ravens, Benjamin Watson say:
“Coaches tell us that when we focus on the
plays, not the game, we’re more likely to win
the game,” he said. “For dads that approach
really works. Focus on what’s in front of you;
focus on the task at hand, and the big picture
will take care of itself.”
Good parenting happens slowly, over time, by
making a choice every day to be intentional
with your child. Instead of getting bogged
down by thinking about your child’s entire
life, here are some plays you can focus on
now that will help you win the game of raising
a happy successful kid.
8 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
PRAY WITH YOUR KIDS
I always tell parents, God is
good for kids. I mean it. Even if you
aren’t religious, your child is more
spiritual than you think she is. Children
are naturally inclined to a belief in God.
Praying with your child is another good
way to connect with her at a young age.
If you ever prayed with your father, as
I did, you know what I mean. Having a
strong, powerful, smart dad kneel by
your bedside, close his eyes and pray,
brings a child closer to his father than
any activity or conversation ever can.
03
BE STEADY
Your child experiences a lot of
different emotions throughout the day,
and he isn’t old enough yet to control
them. When you are steady, this will
help even out his emotional ups and
downs. When he is agitated, stay calm.
When he is weak, be strong. When he
is fearful, be confident. This will make
you a hero in his eyes and will help him
know that you are a rock he can rely on
no matter what.
Dads, winning your kids is all about
strategy. Focus on just a few plays
and make a strategy for each one. I
guarantee that if you do that, you’ll win
at not only being a great dad but being
your child’s hero.
By Lisbeth Splawn