Hello, I am a 35-year-old father of four and have been married to my wife for 12 years. I want to share a short story about what my 5-year-old daughter mentioned when she and my wife were looking at our wedding pictures.
Our daughter was mentioning how pretty my wife looked and that I looked cute too. She then got a look as if she was thinking pretty hard. My wife asked what my daughter was thinking; my daughter proceeded to ask if my wife was going to get married to somebody else. She didn't want that to happen because she loves me. My wife reassured her that Mom and Dad were always going to be together, and asked what made her think about this. My daughter replied that so many of her classmates at school come from divorced, and remarried families with step-kids.
It is sad to me so many children have to endure through their parents' bad decisions, mistakes, and selfishness. The logic of a 5 year old shows us this is becoming the new norm in our society. In my world, I am powerless to prevent this from happening to other children; but it reinforces to me, yet again, the vital importance of providing a safe, secure, loving, supportive, structured, disciplined, and fun world for my family. To the other dads out there, make sure your kids see you love and honor your wife. Make sure your children know the family home will always serve as a safe place. Make sure your children see you as a loving, ethical, and kind father who sets high yet achievable standards. Make sure your kids see you honor your words and commitments. Make sure you eat dinner as a family every night, without the TV, radio, or cell phones. Make sure your kids know and demonstrate this by word and example that family is the most important thing in your life.
John
