Dear Dads, Engage in Your Children’s Education for Their Bright Future.

As parents, we all want the best for our children, and it’s crucial that both mothers and fathers play active roles in their upbringing. Today, I had the opportunity to support my son during his exam at a tertiary institution. I’ve been involved in his education from the beginning, and I realize the importance of being present and engaged in his learning journey.

Mothers are incredible caregivers and do an excellent job of nurturing our families. However, children need a balanced upbringing, and the involvement of both parents is essential. While mothers provide emotional care, fathers offer a different kind of love that helps children become dependable and strong individuals. It’s not about stereotypes; each parent brings unique qualities to a child’s development.

Raising children is a joint responsibility, and when one parent is absent, other family members or the community need to step in to fill in the missing elements. Children need both soft love and tough love to grow into well-rounded individuals. Mothers can instill compassion and kindness, but they may need support from fathers to teach discipline and resilience.

In recent times, there has been a shift where girls are being empowered more than boys, leading to a concerning situation where some boys lack the necessary guidance to become responsible men. We, as fathers, should step up and actively participate in raising our sons with firm hands. Our involvement is vital to ensure that boys grow up to be respectful, caring, and dependable individuals.

The absence of fathers can have a negative impact on families and communities, leading to societal challenges. We must recognize the significance of our role and actively participate in our children’s lives. Our engagement will contribute to the overall well-being of our families and society.

So, dear dads, let us make time to take on our fatherly roles: be present, listen, teach, discipline, and be involved in our children’s education. Our commitment as parents can shape the future of our institutions and society as a whole.

Let’s be the fathers our children need and create a brighter future for them.

Adeolu Akinyemi