FATHERHOOD: A BLISSFUL JOURNEY

The bond between a father and his child is extremely special and can’t be expressed easily in words. Several emotions are involved in this beautiful relationship. Siddhanto Roy explores this blissful relationship at different stages and how it evolves ove

The relationship between a father and his child evolves over a period of time. From infancy to the time, the child grows up to become a parent, fatherhood goes through a journey of different phases. Having gone through several challenges himself, a father guides his child according to what he has learnt in life. He doesn’t want his child to commit the same mistakes he made, when he was a child. He wants to see his child successful and most importantly, tries to make him a good human being. Throughout the journey of fatherhood, a father himself learns many things from his child. This pleasant change in both the individuals is possible because of this divine relationship. Let’s take a look at how this blissful relationship evolves through different stages of a child’s life.

INFANCY AND SCHOOL LIFE

The happiness of seeing a father hold his child for the first time is precious and blissful. Every man wants to experience this moment in his life. Fathers are generally very careful with infants as they want to protect them from any harm and want to give them the best upbringing in a safe, secure and healthy environment. The joy of seeing your child smile, walk and talk for the first time are moments, which give immense happiness to the father and his family. Father plays an integral part in making sure that the child learns good habits and gets adequate nourishment required to become mentally and physically strong. Some fathers are like friends to their children, while some fathers prefer to be strict and want to make their children disciplined in life from the beginning. It is ideal to have a combination of discipline and affection towards the child, so that he gets the love and support needed by him to become confident and is also corrected, when he is going wrong. School life is the foundation of a child’s future and a father tries his best to provide the best education to his child, so that he/she has a bright future.

Whether, it is the child’s first school competition, studies or the much-awaited event, the Annual Day function, fathers try their best to leave no stone unturned, to be present at such moments to provide the much-needed support, a child needs.

TEENAGE AND BEYOND

Teenage often brings several changes in a child’s personality both negative and positive. He/she often becomes rebellious as they succumb to peer pressure. This is where the role of the father is extremely crucial in making sure that the child’s life doesn’t go astray. During this phase, several fathers, try to be a friend whom the child can trust and make him/her feel comfortable in sharing whatever problems, he/she faces. This trust makes a child receive the correct guidance, which helps him stay focussed in life and away from all the vices. However, every father has different approach towards helping his child face different challenges in life. Whether, it is choosing the college for higher studies, preparing for the board exams or dealing with other aspects of life, father is like a friend, philosopher and guide to his son or daughter. This is often the phase, where the bond between a father and his child can either become extremely strong or go in a negative direction. Fathers try to lead by example to help their child develop qualities, which they can be proud of.

MARRIED LIFE

Fathers often tell their children that they will understand the reasons behind whatever they do, when they themselves would become parents. This is often true, as children do realise this, when they themselves become parents. Fathers always try to bring up their children in such a way that they become great son or daughter, husband or wife and an even better parent. Whether, its relationship, parenting issues or any other issue, fathers are often the correct person for the best advice.

EVERY FATHER HAS A DIFFERENT APPROACH TOWARDS HELPING HIS CHILD FACE CHALLENGES IN LIFE. WHETHER, IT IS CHOOSING THE COLLEGE FOR HIGHER STUDIES OR DEALING WITH OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE, HE IS LIKE A FRIEND AND GUIDE.