Fatherhood Resource
Fatherhood Thoughts

This is an every day struggle for me.

Knowing the task will take longer if my child helps.
Knowing there will be a larger mess.
Knowing the activity has an element of danger and they could get hurt.
Knowing I will have to go out of my way, spend more time and energy to play.

When I do make the conscious decision to step aside and allow them to do, I am continuously surprised.

Weather it's as simple as getting the gallon of milk out of the fridge and pouring their own glass of milk for the first time or wanting to help in the garden, I have seen my son do well beyond what I was comfortable with.

But I let him do anyway because he has proven to me that he can, and that I was the one holding him back.

We all learn more through experience.
Slow down.
Allow your child to do.
Allow them to spill and help clean up.
Allow them to fall, realizing it didn't hurt as bad as expected, then try again.
Allow them to fail, correcting the issue on the next go around.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

The fourth and final Lessons for my Children article.

These lessons have been an aggregation of thoughts and knowledge learned through listening, watching, or doing throughout my life. As I continue to learn and grow as a father, but also a person, I too will continually refine and hone skills, thoughts, and actions.

Perhaps once I fail a few more times and get more life experience as a father of 3, then a Part 5 will be appropriate.

For now, this is what I have to offer. To my children, I hope these lessons will guide, or at least partially influence, future behavior and decisions.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

Read Full Encouragement Article here:
www.theintentionalfather.com/post/lessons-for-my-children-part-4

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

Make it a priority to eat dinner together as a family. No phones, no television, no distractions. Intentional quality time.

Whether you cook or order out, eat together in a setting that allows for purposeful discussion. Sit around the table or outside on the patio, either way, remove all distractions and give your family/children your undivided attention.

Justin Whitmel Earley says in his book Habits of the Household: "One of the most loving things you can do for your family is simply to sit down, at the same time, in the same place, and eat together." (p.54)

He goes on to reference multiple studies that show the positive effects this can have on a family, but more specifically on children.

Get together with your family and discuss what is realistic. Maybe it's only one time per week to start out. No matter the number, plan it. Put it on the schedule and make it a priority.

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

Read full Intentional Moment here:
www.theintentionalfather.com/intentional-moments-1/eat-as-a-family

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

Every parent wants their children to be surrounded by good people, quality friends.

Friends that will support them. Friends that will help them grow and not hold them back. Friends that hold them accountable and to a high standard, not lower the bar to make them feel good.

However, our actions are influenced by more than our friends and those we surround ourselves with.

Our actions are also heavily influenced by what we feed out mind.

If we continually watch Fox News, we will no doubt feel angry and bitter towards the world, or at least half of it.

But if you instead read a book like Can't Hurt Me or Atomic Habits, you would be motivated to be productive and take your actions and life to the next level.

Feed your mind well. Your future self will thank you!

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

The Intentional Father is coming up on 1 year being released! Looking at the site today, I am excited to see the progress made, but am continually looking towards the future.

Each month we strive to add content and grow our fatherhood resources. Currently, the site is undergoing a large restructure, in addition, we are working on an Intentional Father storefront. Both are planned to be released in April. Stay tuned!

I appreciate and thank you for the support! See full email of March updates here:
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/41OSk8Azn?languageTag=en

- Chad Vrla
Founder of TheIntentionalFather.com

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather

I have thought a lot about how I interact with my kids.

Some days depending on work, school, home work, house care, house stress level and many other variables; I find that I am giving orders in repetition.

It is important that our kids have interaction with us as parents in other forms than just discipline and correction. I care about my kids being good humans, and I am strict when it comes to proper behavior. But I do not want to be viewed as totalitarian and singular as a father.

I want to spend time with my kids and show them love. I want to have fun with them in their world. I feel it is important for us to go with them, versus us dragging them to adulthood as fast as possible. The world comes quick, I want the beautiful time of childhood to have its day in the sun.

Today, we have 3 kids within 8 to 6 years old. Our house is a literal circus, at times it is hard for us to find time that serves each kid. One kid wants to do something, the others don't want to do the said activity. It can cause a lot of disruption, tantrums, progressive stress and chaos for all parties involved.

My wife and I created a system with our closely aged kids. On weekends, we have "timers".

Set a timer, have your child pick the activity they want to do, spend good ole quality time with them on their terms.

- Jerod Post
Contributor at TheIntentionalFather.com

Read More at:
www.theintentionalfather.com/intentional-activity/timers-with-kids

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather