Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.
In today’s world it’s difficult to be a 24/7 father. A 24/7 Dad is the one who takes good care of his kid just not by being around but taking extra care. You can become one if you take simple guideline which will make you a 24/7 father. The first step to be one is relationship to the mother of their child. It’s very important that you have a very good relationship with the mother of your child that is either with your wife or your ex-wife. The healthy relationship and good communication with your wife would help the child to know good things about his Dad which he would not only learn but will try to implement it in future. If she is a girl she would like to have that qualities for her husband.
The second one is awareness of himself. A 24/7 Dad should take care of his feelings, emotions, moods, capability. These factors affect a lot of children in day to day life. Like the most irritating moment of the day is when you are back from the office completely tired and exhausted and your child wants your time. At that time you need to be with your child because he needs your time. Even in your crucial moments you need to be a support to your child.
The third one is not overlapping your child. This thing matters a lot. Don’t try to over impose yourself on your kids. This would make the matter worst. Trying to impose all your decisions and thinking on them would make the child devastating. Either they would stop thinking for themselves or try to make distance from their father who is always back of them trying to get his thinking out of them. The fathers know what is good for the child but sometimes they should give space to the child so that he comes up with his own ideas and thinking.
On a concluding note follow these guidelines, this would bring your child closer to yourself and you can be a 24/7 Dad.
Thank you for reading.
Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.