Parenting is a challenge, especially if you’re a dad. Good fathers are hard to come by, and it’s hard to determine if you’re being the best father you possibly can be.

The important step is that you try. Doing so can help your children grow and be mentally well. With it being Mental Health Awareness Month, there are plenty of reasons as to why fatherhood is more important than ever. Here are some ways your kids can learn from you and be more mentally sound because of it.

Good Fatherhood Teaches Children About Standing Up For Yourself

By standing up for yourself, we aren’t just talking about fighting back against a bully. We are talking about how to be assertive and how to be someone who doesn’t get pushed around by society. A good father can teach the difference between being generous and having someone walk all over you. A good father tells you how you can stand up for what is right. Too many children, without a father figure, grow up to be pushed around and not stand up for what is right.

A Good Father Teaches His Son About What it Means to be a Man

There is a lot of talk about what makes a man, what parts of a man you should emulate, and what parts can be toxic. It’s something that’s a bit subjective to anyone, and we don’t claim to know all the answers. What we can tell you is that there are many good aspects to masculinity and it means more than learning how to change a tire or start a campfire. Being strong, brave, and willing to fight for what’s right are some examples. Being yourself and not letting others force you to be something you’re not are more examples. A good father provides and protects his family whenever possible. Being overly aggressive, being forceful, and pushing someone’s boundaries are examples of what you shouldn’t do as a man.

A good father teaches about all these aspects and much more, which can help your child grow up to mentally evaluate what he should or shouldn’t do.

A Good Father Teaches Discipline

By discipline, we don’t just mean punishing your child because they did something wrong. We are also talking about teaching your children how to give their 100 percent at everything they do. Have your child be mentally prepared to finish their tasks at full effort and not be so distracted. Teach your child to push themselves to their limits, but not go so far that they can risk their help. Discipline them to have a good routine and to seize the day. Don’t be aggressive or unfair, but also don’t let them go without guidance.

A Good Father Has Fun

There are so many things that you can teach your children as a parent, but one of the best things that you can teach them is to have fun. Teach your children that there is fun in magic, such as marking cards with invisible ink and pulling fake bunnies from hats. You can teach your children to enjoy a whole new way to look at life when you have fun. Children need to see you as a teacher, a leader, someone to respect and love - but they need to know that you can have fun, too. It takes time to build this with your children if you're not that kind of parent, but there's something magical about teaching your children that you are magic, too! A good dad knows how to have fun, to show them how to have fun and to get on the floor and get mucky, too!

A Good Father Teaches That It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Even when you are the best dad possible, sometimes you need help from others, and your children may need help from more than what you can provide. For example, your children may have mental illnesses and other demons they need to deal with. A good parent teaches that it’s okay to seek help.

Too many children grow up thinking that talking to a counselor or someone else who specializes in mental health is a bad thing. This is definitely not the case. You should teach your children that it’s okay to speak to someone and ask for help if needed. There are many resources you can go to if you or your child needs help. For help with mental health issues or life in general, click here: https://www.regain.us/advice/therapist/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-online-therapy/