This week, the world celebrated Father’s Day, and this space today is dedicated to all the great fathers out there who experience the unexpected challenges of being the men of their houses.
For me, the main thing I have learned as a father is the real struggle of bringing up my boys, who will soon turn into real men.
But in the process, you develop an unconditional love for your children from the first time you see them, and with each day of being able to watch their personalities grow.
One of the toughest things about being a father is letting go. In all these years, I have learned a great deal about sacrifice, patience, and fear. It’s been worth every single second.
Fatherhood has definitely changed me, for the better. It has made me much more emotional. I now find myself tearing at sad movies where I would just feel nothing before I was a father.
The thing that amazes me most about being blessed with four boys is, how different they are to each other.
One is active and energetic, the other is gentle while the third sensitive and the last hilarious and daring.
One taught me kindness, while the other calmness. Another one taught me caution, and the other taught me excitement and fun.
Despite their differences, both of them taught me love, care, patience and joy.
Becoming a father is an amazing experience which can also bring lots of changes and challenges.
The first year of your child’s life is a time of great joy but also a big adjustment for both you and your partner.
Babies don’t come with instruction manuals, and it takes a while to get to know yours. It can be hard to balance caring for your baby, yourself and your partner, and your new role may feel overwhelming at times.
While writing this column, I struggle to deal with the grief and emptiness that comes with not having a father myself.
My father passed on years ago and now that he is gone, I continue to celebrate his life and his contribution to the family and to the community.
I will oblige my heart to find comfort in celebrating his life and on this note, I promise myself to use him as an example to be a great father.
The way he made me happy with whatever I needed when I was little, I will try and do the same for my children.
Becoming a father means making changes to many aspects of your life. Your identity, responsibilities, daily routines and relationships will all be impacted.
If you feel shocked by these changes and how much is involved with being a parent, you are definitely not alone.
In between all of this, there can be moments of joy as you get to know your baby. However, the new responsibilities of parenting can become overwhelming and exhausting but we should never give up.
Hard as it is while trying to balance work and family, it’s important not to let go the responsibilities that come with being a father. Our fathers never gave up on us ... Remember that?
Till next, Happy Father’s Day.
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