Fatherhood Resource
Fatherhood Thoughts

Fatherhood Statistics are eye opening.

Based on fatherhood statistics, the fact you are even physically in your child's life appears to be a win.

However, what they don't have are those same statistics for fathers that are ONLY physically present in the household. It's one thing to simply be "in" the house, a warm body taking up space, it's another to actually be present.

What's the point of you being there physically but without engaging, interacting, intentionally pursuing your children?

This is one reason why I started The Intentional Father, to Encourage and Equip Fathers to be Present and Intentional with their children daily.

Being Present is the active state.
Turn off your phone, remove distractions and be 100% committed to the time that you spend with your children.

Being Intentional is the pro-active state.
Be intentional in spending time with them by planning Intentional Activities.
Be intentional in starting conversations to build a closer relationship through Intentional Moments.

One thing my dad always said to me was, "people won't always remember the exact words you said to them, but they will remember how you made them feel."

This is absolutely the case with your children. They won't always remember the activity, the conversation, or the moment, but they will remember how it made them feel and that you were there, intentionally with them.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

Read More:
https://www.theintentionalfather.com/post/why-a-father-matters

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

Parenting is a life of service.

Generously & continuously pouring out love in many forms to your children.

There are times where it is easy to fall into the trap of pushing your child into something YOU desire for them. With that comes the expectation that they take to it and enjoy it the same. Perhaps it is a way to balance the preverbal scales.

As Jerod wrote in his recent Encouragement Article - Bolster Your Children's Interests:
"I think it would be a very cool legacy for my kids to take certain paths in my life. To have my son or daughter play a sport I played, or join the Marines. It would be a great legacy experience. I could guide them with first hand experience and share with them the similar shared walk we would have. My next thought was who do I want that situation more for? Myself, or my child?"

Spend time with your children.
Learn their interests, their dreams, their desires.
Then walk along with them, providing the love and support required.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

A mature oak tree can produce 10,000 acorns a reproductive season. The acorns will fall, some will be eaten, others stepped on and cracked, but some will take root. Of those, many will become oaks themselves. Growing and maturing to then produce similarly. And the process repeats. Continually.

As a father, you are the oak. The acorns or seeds are your influence.

What kind of seeds are you planting?

Read full Encouragement Article:
www.theintentionalfather.com/post/the-power-of-a-fathers-influence

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #beintentional #theintentionalfather

One thing that has helped me the most as a father is the mind-shift that time spent with my children is more important than any task on a to-do list.

That may sound like a no-brainer. But how many times have you, as a father, tried to get something done only for it to take 3 times longer or not get done at all because of your children. You get interrupted, they want to play, whatever the reason, you end up frustrated because your children crave your time.

Once my priority became "I'm spending time with my kids today", my frustrations, anxiety, all disappeared and I was able to be present and in the moment.

We still work tasks together, but with the intention of it being intentional time and a learning opportunity. Not in order to do something that has to get done.

Too often I would set expectations for my day, only to be upset and frustrated when those expectations didn't get met because my son kept asking me to play.

Looking back and thinking of those moments I wish I could scream at myself.

Children only ask you to play with them for so long.
Infants only sleep on your chest for a short while.
Toddlers grow and stop laughing at silly faces.

Shift your mind today and prioritize your family first.

Expect to accomplish nothing.
In doing so, you will gain precious time.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

I am excited to announce the site restructure is complete and The Intentional Father Store is live!

In order to make navigating the site easier and to highlight our primary resources, the site has been restructured into two main categories: Fatherhood Resources & Men's Resources.

In addition, The Intentional Father Store has been released! The Store features products that are in line with our mission of encouraging fathers to be present and intentional with their children.

This site & effort has been an exciting journey and I can't wait to see where it leads me. Thank you to everyone who has supported the effort!

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

Link to Store:
www.theintentionalfather.com/store

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

Praying together doesn't have to be only before bedtime or a meal, nor does it have to be long and drawn out. It can be at any moment, as simple as "Thank you, Lord, for this day."

Having your children hear you pray can work wonders in their hearts. But many Father's are not confident in praying out load, especially not in front of their kids. One way to start to overcome this is to say little prayers.

There is no wrong way to pray. Don't get caught up in the specific words, feel like it has to sound a certain way, or anything along those lines. Especially if you don't normally pray out loud, start small. It's learning a new skill. You can't expect to be running full speed the first day you stand up. Give yourself grace and keep it short. The Lord knows what's in your heart.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

Read More:
www.theintentionalfather.com/intentional-moments-1/little-prayers

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather