Consider the issue of respect. Respect is not exactly the same thing as admiration. Admiration is observation from a distance. We put those we admire on a pedestal. Admiration is wishful thinking. Respect is closer, more personal. Admiration is based on performance. Respect is based on experience with someone. We may or may not admire someone we respect. I admired Mr. Schulman, my high school history teacher. But I had no real personal experience with him. Respect has to be embedded in a relationship.
Respect is not something children feel for us simply because we are fathers. Respect has to be earned by our commitment to building relationships that demonstrate our love and commitment, combined with a caring and firm authority. Respect is based on love and admiration, not fear. A man can demand that a child behave in a certain way but cannot make that display of respect to be felt inside the child’s mind and heart. True respect has great influence long after a child’s father is gone.
The issue here is: Can you accept the challenge of becoming actively involved your baby’s life?
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Journal 4 Earning respect
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Journal 4 Earning respect