You're a Dad now! What's your purpose?

 It’s a great title to carry: Dad.  It even has a nice ring to it.  But what does that mean?  What is expected of you now that you have hit that milestone in your life?  A lot.  And it won’t be easy, but man, will it be worth it!  You will be expected to fulfill many roles, but mainly you will be a coach, provider, protector, and educator.  

     1.  Coach 

Just like you had growing up in little league, you now assume the role of a coach.  Even more importantly, you will forever be your kid’s Life Coach.  It’s your responsibility to teach junior the rules of the game, how to score, and how to win.  You’ll also need to coach him through the tough times, drawing largely on your own experiences.  As a mentor, you can help prevent your little one from making the same mistakes you have made in the past.  They won’t always understand your reasons, but eventually they will grow up to realize that you already knew the pain of a mistake that they were about to create.  That’s your goal:  Coach your children through their life, putting them one step ahead of where you were at that same point.  That’s how progress is made.  That’s how the legacy grows.  

2.  Provider

There are millions of men who father a child, and don’t step up to the plate to provide for them.  You aren’t one of those men.  You never will be.  That’s your goal here.  No matter what happens, you will make sure that your children and your wife have everything that they need.  No matter what. That’s the hallmark of a great father.  You will provide for them financially, but also emotionally.  No matter what they need, try to find a way to provide it to them.  Your job as a Dad is to remove any roadblocks that may stand in the way of your family from reaching its goals.  As far as the financial aspect, here’s a piece of advice I once had a friend offer me:  I don’t mind telling my children “No” based on principle.  But I’ll be damned if I have to say “No” based on poverty.  That has been in the back of my mind ever since.  Get a good job and earn your keep.  And FYI, it starts with a decent resume.  Don't have one?  Give the folks at Pro Resume Writing Services a try (hint:  use the affiliate link for 50% off).

3.  Protector

I’m not saying that you have to go out and buy a gun.  I did, but again, my first kid was a beautiful baby girl.  I followed that up shortly with the license to carry the sucker, too, just in case I needed to shoot some fool for getting too close.  But that’s me.  No matter what, though, you are expected to protect your new baby from the world.  You are the filter through which everything must pass.  I don’t care if it’s the sun; your job is to make sure they have sunscreen.  You purpose on this planet now is to make sure your family is protected, by all means necessary.  In the beginning, you will need to protect your baby’s immune system, keeping the thousands of strangers from touching your kid (believe me, they will try).  As they get older, it will mean protecting them from the horrors of this world that you know too well:  drugs, poverty, avolition.  Protect your family at all costs.  I'd recommend a trip to Doberman Security to fortify your home. 

4.  Educator

You are now the primary educator in your child’s life.  Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT rely on the public school system to teach your kid everything he or she needs to know to succeed in life.  It won’t.  I’m convinced that teachers are just like you and me, and the majority of them show up for a paycheck, nothing more.  They don’t wear capes.  They don’t possess super powers.  And the majority of them have average intellect.  I’m not trying to bash teachers here, but hopefully you get my point.  Educating your kids is your job.  You teach your kids everything they need to know, and you supplement that with school.  It’s not the other way around.  Besides, your kiddo will be bored to tears in some of the classes in school (you were, too), but you get to introduce them to the cool stuff, like rain, snow, wind, leaves, grass, and birds.  Much cooler. 

There are many more roles that you now are expected to fulfill, but these are the most important.  Shortly, we’ll start discussing the logistics of fatherhood:  finances, diapers, daily operations, and other specifics.  You’re a dad now, but remember to be yourself, albeit a little more refined than you used to be.  Oh, and start to curb the language now or you’ll regret it when your little one starts swearing in the grocery store and all of the old ladies stare at you in horror.  Or you’ll laugh, but don’t let junior see you laugh.  You’re a dad now.   You’ve stepped up.  Welcome to the plate.