Let me tell you a story about the day I discovered that I am going to be a good father. In high school I was one of those that wanted to meet girls; there was one particular class that was called Child Development.  Child Development builds a positive understanding of children’s growth and development and a solid foundation of parenting skills. Classes include hands on work with 3-5 year old children. I was also organizing children’s activities. Child Development students learn about the theories of development and growth as well as techniques to use when working with children through class activities, presentations, discussion, videos, guest speakers and field trips. They then apply the principles learned in hands on situations in the playschool environment. I chose this class because I figured the best way to meet a girl was to be here, it was almost an all-girl class. As time began to pass my passion for the children grew. During the second semester of the course we went to an elementary school to work with kids. It was during this time where I started to realize some of the strange connections I have with kids. I say strange because it’s like me and most children bond instantly. 

One day the teacher asked us to bring in our little siblings that were between 2 and 4 and to evaluate how they interact with each other. That day I had just finished up my Child Development class and was heading to my next class as a T.A. but asked my teacher if it was ok to go back and help my Child Development teacher. When I had arrived my friends were standing outside and I heard crying come from one of them. As I approached I realized that it was my best friends little brother who had been crying. I asked her what was wrong seeing how her little brother was acting real fussy. She told me that he didn’t want to play with any of the kids and was throwing a tantrum. I decided that I would help my friend so I picked up her brother and held him; all of a sudden he stopped crying. My friend tells me that he would never go with a guy other than his father and that he didn’t like being held but for some reason he didn’t mind when I did. I decided to take him in and play with him. At first the little boy seemed skeptical about playing with the toys especially with the other kids and after a few minutes of playing with him, the next thing you know he’s laughing and playing with all the kids.

That day seemed strange to me, all of a sudden different things began to happen. Every time I come across a child there would be a strong connection. I knew from that experience that I was meant to be a father. Growing up I didn’t really have my dad in my life, I only had my mother who was like a father to me. During my time growing up I can say that even though there was a fixed father in my life I did have a lot of men who poured a lot of wisdom in me. When I was in school I told myself that when I have kids, I want to give them everything my father never gave me, to always be in their lives when they need it. In my heart I know I would be a great father because not having one taught me the importance of a child having a father in their lives. Fathers are not just there to teach the kids sports but there is so much more. Dads are important for their interactions with the kids because they generally spend one on one time with the kids which helps builds the child’s self-esteem. Fathers are important for the example they set for the son. He will learn positive characteristics to succeed while the daughter forms her opinion about men by her father’s actions and behavior.   Fathers are important for their physical play because it helps develop a child’s cognitive thinking which helps them control their feelings and regulate their behavior. A father’s very presence changes the way a child grows up and can make an impact on a child’s educational life.  A father is very important in a child’s life and it is he that can make a very big difference.  

“To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.” ~ Bill Wilson

Any fool can be a Father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy!!

~ Philip Whitmore Sr