Real fathers encourage their daughters to play basketball and their sons to play the piano. I mean that fathers should support their children's efforts to excel no matter what activity is chosen. Real fathers do not use their children to fulfill their own dreams. Of course it's natural for people to have dreams and expectations for their children. But fathers who care about their children do not make their sons become the tennis player they never were, unless the child wants to play tennis.
Real fathers learn from their children.
In their role of provider and protector, some fathers come to believe they always know what's best for their children. The wise father keeps his eyes and ears open to learn from his children. They can teach him things they've learned - foreign languages, algebra, chess. They can teach how to improve a backstroke or how to do a swimmer's racing turn. If you are open to it they also can provide valuable lessons in honesty, faith and love.