New Beginnings: Five Perfect Opportunities For Fathers

Josh holding on to mom after he
changed his mind at the bus stop.

Today was the first day of school for our children. As would be expected, there were mixed feelings about starting not only a new year, but making new friends, facing new learning, going onto the next level of education, and all the anxiety and excitement that comes with that.

Joshua had his first day of school ever! He was all excited until he saw the school bus and then he decided there were too many people on the bus and he wanted mom to drive him to school! His day ended on a very good note however and he came home happy to be a kindergartener.

Whether it be a new school year, starting a new job, moving to a new house, welcoming a new baby, getting married, you name it, we face many new beginnings quite often. Some are big, some are small in terms of their impact. But all are important to those who face such changes; and a great opportunity for us as fathers to bless the lives of our children (young and old, and our spouses). Here are some ideas...

1. Boost their confidence, take the time to reassure them of their abilities and capabilities as it might be natural for them to feel uneasy about their new experience. Help them use their strengths to find ways to manage the newness of the experience.
2. Invite them to rely on their Heavenly Father through prayer and seeking His guidance. These are great opportunities for them to increase in faith and in humility.
3. Invite them to talk about how they feel as they start their new adventure. Talking can help them discover insights that can help their social, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Dinner as a family is a perfect time for that!
4. Listen and observe how they adapt to the new experience. Sometimes our urge is to give counsel or to suggest ideas. Give them space and just watch and listen. It's amazing what we can discover if we open our eyes and ears.
5. Bless them! As you feel prompted, use your priesthood authority to give them a priesthood blessing. On Sunday, as we put the kids to bed, our 7-year old Camille said to me "Dad, those blessings were very nice!" referring to the blessing they had all received earlier that day.

Growing up, it was my mother that did the first four things mostly, as I suspect is common in most families. But as fathers we have the privilege to bless our children's lives in these important transitions. It's just a matter of time and will. Let us make the time to help our children as they face new situations. They will appreciate it for a life time.