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Do Fathers Care about their kids?
They sure do
The gathering of over twenty fathers on December 13th 2009 at the Lawrence Heights Parents Association certainly indicated that fathers care. Fathers see that they can provide valuable support to their children just by being there for them. Talking with them about school, going to visit the teacher, playing ball, doing chores with them; all these things are more valuable than money could buy. Just by talking and listening, a father is providing a priceless gift that lasts a lifetime. As basketball coach, Jim Valvano, said, “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me”.
The night was organized by Lawrence Heights Parents Association and Family Service Toronto. Two guest speaker were also in attendance: Said Dirie from Children’s Aid Society (C. A.S.) and Abdifatah Warsame from Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services (CYDMS). Dirie from C.A.S. spoke about positive ways of disciplining children. Warsame from CYDMS spoke to the value of playing with your children. When children are told repeatedly that they are brave, smart, valued and loved, they have a greater chance of success.
From Family Service Toronto, Sabriye Abdirahman spoke of the difficulty that immigrant fathers have of coming to a new country and the valuable ways fathers can help children adjust to a new country, and, in turn, children can help fathers adjust. In Canada, there is not the same strong social support network, so the role of the father is even more important. A father’s role is just as important as a mother’s role. Boys and girls both need healthy positive relationships with their fathers so they in turn have healthy respectful relationship with boys and men.
Mohammed Ali-Aden and Abdirizack Hersi leaders of the Lawrence Heights Parents Association also spoke. Ali-Aden talked about the importance of bringing parents together in the community to discuss and share ideas. Hersi spoke about how the active involvement of the father will help determine a child’s success later in life.
So fathers, the ball is in your court.
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