Dads Are Still #1

DADS ARE STILL #1

Eph. 6:1-4

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Dennis the Menace sometimes lived up to his name. One day he was over at the Wilson’s house (neighbors) eating cookies and milk. Mrs. Wilson was in the kitchen washing the dishes.

2. Dennis asked Mr. Wilson why he never went to work and he explained he is retired. Dennis said, “Retired? Is that why you loaf all the time?” Wilson answered, Well I worked so hard for so many years that I earned the right to loaf.”

3. Dennis asked why Mrs. Wilson hasn’t retired. Mr. Wilson responded, “She can’t retire because she never worked.” But Dennis said he’d always seen Mrs. Wilson cooking, washing and cleaning. Didn’t that count?

4. “That’s different,” said Mr. Wilson, “She’s a housewife; if she retired, who’d do the housework?” Dennis said, “Couldn’t YOU help?” “Dennis! Are you trying to cause trouble?!” Mrs. Wilson says, “Stop yelling at Dennis! He’s right and you know it!”

5. In the next frame, Dennis walks up to his mother in the garden. She asks, “What are the Wilson’s arguing about?” Dennis answers, “I don’t know. I came home ‘cause I didn’t want to get involved!”

B. WAR ON FATHERHOOD

1. Not only do we have wars abroad, but for almost a generation, there has been another war – front – on fatherhood. Our culture has taught that ‘Marriage isn’t important – it’s just a piece of paper. Cohabitation is every bit as good.’

2. Courts have consistently given custody of kids to mothers, with the subtle implication that mothers are more vital to children’s welfare than Dads – they aren’t really necessary.

3. Social engineers regularly imply that it takes a village to raise a child, implying that parents aren’t sufficient for the job.

4. Time Magazine, in an issue called, “The Hottest Jobs of the Future,” listed fatherhood as one of the occupations that would disappear in the next century; “Between in-vitro fertilization and cloning, dads could become dinosaurs.” (5/22/00) Dads have even been referred to as a possible new “endangered species.”

C. DADS – YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

1. Studies show that not only do you a). Increase the care of your kids, b). open a world of associations to them (through your family, work, friends, etc.), and dads still bring in the lion’s share of income in joint households --

2. There are 4 ways you enrich your kids lives which are NOT interchangeable with their Moms and are necessary for healthy childrearing:

a. Dads play a vital role in the FORMULATION OF THEIR CHILD’S PERSONALITY;

b. Establish a strong SENSE OF SECURITY;

c. Are Key to their MORAL DEVELOPMENT; and

d. Help teach how WOMEN SHOULD BE TREATED.

D. TEXT

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Eph. 6:1-4.

First, their role in the...

I. FORMULATION OF THE CHILD’S PERSONALITY

A. A DIFFERENT STYLE OF RELATING

1. Mothers tend to speak soothingly, softly to their infants & snugly hold them. Dads provide more verbal and physical stimulation.

2. Infants with involved fathers – who provide unpredictable, stimulating interaction – tend to score higher on tests of thinking skills and brain development.

B. A DIFFERENT WAY OF PLAYING

1. Fathers spend a larger proportion of their time playing with their kids.

2. Rough & Tumble Play TEACHES CHILDREN:

a. How to interact with the world;

b. Creates obstacles and helps them overcome challenges;

c. Encourages them to explore their own strength & ability.

3. Children’s math skills and problem-solving skills have been found to be directly linked to the amount of time spent with fathers.

4. ILLUS.

a. Homework is always a grind for the entire family. A father was tired and exhausted from a long day at the office and had little desire to engage in any type of brain function. He lounged in the chair while his son struggled with his homework.

b. The mother was busy in the kitchen and saw the lack of adult supervision taking place. She tried to discomfort her husband into action by saying, “You better help him while you still can. Next year he will be in the sixth grade.” [In Other Words, #1035]

C. FATHERS WHO HELP THEIR KIDS DEAL WITH BAD EMOTIONS...have a greater impact on emotional regulation and peer relationship than mothers.

II. ESTABLISH A STRONG SENSE OF SECURITY

A. PROMOTERS OF INDEPENDENCE

1. Dads seem to be key to challenging their children to try new experiences, with the goal of helping them become independent.