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Perfect Father? How About We Call Him Ideal?

Father’s Day is only a few days away, and I’ll admit I haven’t celebrated it with my dad – ever – but I look forward to my sons celebrating it with THEIR dad every year.

We do the family barbecue thing. You know, with the dad doing the grilling. Because that’s his thing, and unlike this mama on Mother’s Day, he doesn’t seem to mind cooking on his special day.

If you’re celebrating someone, you should take into account what they want and what they consider a celebration. My guy would not be a fan of dressing up in a suit and going to an opera for his celebration. So that’s never the plan.

This year, both of my sons are also fathers, so it will be a three-way celebration.

He could be Pop of the Year, too!

Each year, I’ve given my husband a card because he’s the most important father in my life: the father of my children. He has single-handedly changed my opinion of the importance of the role of fathers in the lives of children. I’ve never celebrated with my father because he’s been absent more than present in my life.

I’m beyond thankful my sons will never be able to say the same about their dad.

Perfect Father?

I’m reminded of the Bible verse in Matthew that says, “Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  What most people don’t realize is that the Greek word the translators made “perfect” means “complete.” Not without sin or never failing.

While God can claim THAT sort of perfection, the rest of us are only human. We fall short.

Yes, even Mr. Wonderful. I say he’s perfect, but of course he’s not. In my mind, he’s as close to perfect as a human being can get. At least in the way he treats me, cares for our family and lives his life.

If our sons took time to chime in, they’d say he was definitely their “favorite” parent. Mr. Wonderful is a good guy who listened to them more than he lectured them. He showed up for them, and he still does.

That’s what makes him…

An Ideal Father

In this post, I’m utilizing dictionary.com for its third definition of ideal: “a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation.”

Meaning, if you want to pattern your fatherhood after someone, Mr. Wonderful is a great choice. As far as fathers go, he’s done a great job.

This is the list of characteristics that make him ideal:

  • He has participated in every aspect of child-rearing
    • He changed diapers
    • He took over mid-night feedings
    • He cared for them when they were sick, even to the point of cleaning up puke
  • He listens when they talk and seeks times to encourage such conversations
  • He attended those things they participated in growing up:
    • Basketball and football games
    • Baseball tournaments
    • Soccer matches (yes, even those!)
    • Plays
    • Band concerts
    • Awards ceremonies
  • He encourages them in their careers and marriages
  • He spends time with them
  • He values their thoughts and opinions, even if he doesn’t always agree
  • He provided for their needs and wants
  • He taught them how to wash their cars, change the oil and do other “manly” things
  • He helps them in any way he can
  • He loves them and they know it

Am I biased in favor of this man? Maybe. But those of you who know him would agree that I’ve described him well.

What do you think are the qualities of an ideal father? Is it important to know what is ideal? Or is that being idealistic?

4 thoughts on “Perfect Father? How About We Call Him Ideal?”

  1. It’s nice to see the importance of fatherhood being touted, with actual meaningful specific honour being given to a father.

    Myself, I’d say the most important qualities for a parent (because this goes for mothers too) are patience, compassion and unselfishness. Not the kind of ‘unselfishness’ which lets others domineer over them, but the kind which, to quote your example, gets up for midnight feeds and cleans up pukey babies.

    1. Mr. Wonderful has those three – in spades. I’m pretty sure he couldn’t be happily married to me without a huge dose of patience. Thanks for commenting, as always. All of us could do with a bit more compassion and unselfishness in this era.

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