Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-11-30
HOW TO BE A FATHER
By Lydia Lion Roberts


= One of the best careers in the world
IS to be father. 1t gives solid sat
lsfaction and pays in level-headed,
hne-splrited sons, and clear-eyed, wo-
manly daughters.
Dad doesn't seem like a parent"
said a boy in his teens, "he seems
more like chum or a friend"
Long years Of learning how to be
father led to that remark, which
showed that the time and effort spent
were already bringing results.
This particular father began when
his children were under two years of
age. He spent very little money on
the children, but he spent a lot of
himself. He devoted hours of his Sat
urdays and Sundays to playing with
the children, reading to them, listen
ing to them, and talking with them.
He did not do so much "for" them. He
did much with" them. It was not,
Let daddy make house for you," or
Let daddy fix it for you," instead he
thought it wiser to say, 'You build a
house with daddy" or you fix it with
daddy" and so the children learned
the fun and pleasure of doing things
with daddy.
He did not talk to them, but with
them, as one man to another, as one |
friend to another, and the little ones |
gained dignity and understanding I'M
consciously. He treated the children
as intelligent companions, and they
became so.
He never was too busy to explain,
to answer their questions, to help with
their problems, to solve their childish
puzzles. If mother could not answer,
she advised, 'Be sure and ask daddy
and he will tell you
When the children began to take
their share of the work and RESPONSE
bility of the home, it was with daddy
they did many of their little tasks.
Before they were five years old this
father had begun to say, Come" He
seldom said, go" It was not "You
go and do this" or "You go there"
He said, Come on and help me clean
up the cellar" or Come and help
mother do these Dishes" and Come
and clean up the yard with me-" The
children responded at once, for work
with dad was half play and it was
great to be trusted with responsible
ty by man.
"Tell dad" became a watchword.
The struggles and triumphs, the los
les and gains, were told him at the
md of the day or week. He showed
lis interest every morning at break
asst and every night at dinner by
uestiOns and conversation about their
until it was natural that no
natter what happened, Lets tell
adj came spontaneously, and equally
atural became the desire to have
My the best things to tell.
This father was jolly and played
Ike a chum, yet there were certain
ines laid down. None of this dads
laymates could be mean, or cheat or
I'll untruths, or shirk a duty. Each
hid must obey promptly, work
heerfully, act manfully. Each child
lust respect, obey and work for mo-
her, who dad said was the Queen of
lie home.
Mother helped this dad learn how to
e a father, co-operated with him, help
i'm understand the little folks by
liking over with him the children's
ally experiences, and Joined in with
is plans. She planned with the chill
rem how to surprise or please dad,
Id showed in every way what fine
ling it was to have a real father.
1t takes thought and effort and
ears of time to learn how to be a
Their, for like all careers, it is made
} of great desire, hard work and
calls, and the marks of success in
is career are not counted in money,
1t in flesh and blood, brain and
art, in the greatest asset the world
fathers children.