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Fathers play an important role in their sons’ lives and fostering a strong father-son relationship is vital for overall wellbeing. From learning how to be a parent to empathy for others, what a son gains from his father will shape the man he will become.
Father’s teach important life lessons, according to the marriage resource Marriage.com, from navigating life’s ups and downs, to how to interact in society. A strong father-son relationship built on open communication, emotional support, and shared activities is the foundation for a life-long meaningful connection. Here are seven ways to help you build this powerful bond, just in time for Father’s Day.
Spend time together
Spend some quality one-on-one time with your son, according to verywell family. Teach your son to ride a bike, throw a ball around, go fishing, or build a birdhouse together. This time will let your son know that he is valued and important, especially if he sees you taking time away from a busy schedule. This special time together is also good for a child’s linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. Not only will you be building this important connection, you will be creating positive memories that will last a lifetime.
Be a good role model
One of the things you can do to develop a strong bond with your son is to set a good example and to be a positive role model. A son learns from watching his father, even when the parent is unaware. So how a father interacts with his partner and others teaches a son respect – or disrespect – and how to deal with differences of opinion or conflict. This influence can be positive or negative. Being a positive role model will teach empathy and respect for others.
Practice open communication
The key to having open and effective communication with your son is an important building block to a strong relationship. Actively listen to your child without interrupting or trying to fix things. You can do that by giving your son your full undivided attention. Turn off the tv and put your cell phone down and really listen. Have conversations about real issues, like social media, bullying, peer pressure, and relationships. This will allow your child to make their own healthy decisions.
Nurture emotional Intelligence
It’s very important to forge a father-son relationship where emotions can be expressed without fear, according to Marriage.com. Allowing your son to process and communicate his feelings will give him the tools to navigate challenges like an illness, a job loss, or the end of a relationship, with empathy and resilience.
Participate and engage
Actively participate in your son’s life journey. Attend school events, little league games, and be present for your child. Your participation in your child’s milestones shows your commitment and this will build a strong relationship that will endure from childhood into adolescence and beyond.
Recognize achievements
Celebrate achievements and victories of any size. Show your son that you take pride in his accomplishments, both large and small. This recognition helps to boost your son’s self-esteem and his self-worth.
Practice forgiveness
Another way to strengthen your father-son relationship is by embracing forgiveness. Help your son understand that no one is perfect, people make mistakes, or have conflicts. But the best way to resolve conflicts is by apologizing and forgiving. By instilling this in your son, you will teach him that love overcomes conflict and that mistakes will help him on his personal journey and make him a better man.
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