“We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how about you?” We all love a good cheer or chant! I’m talking about the ones that are simple, positive, support your team and allow you to show your enthusiasm all at the same time! “Go Rangers Go!” “Go Cowboys Go!” “Go Stars Go!” “Go Mavericks Go!” depending on your sport of choice. (Yes, Dallasite, guilty as charged!) Dads love to take their kids to sporting events and introduce them to live professional sports, hot dogs and of course “the wave!”
So what about your family? Do you have a cheerleader? Is it you? Or your spouse? Or a grandparent? Or a family friend that’s just like family? Think that’s an odd concept for a family? Consider this. What do cheerleaders do? Cheer on their team, of course. Absolutely! They provide the mental encouragement during the discouraging tough times and continued adrenaline pumping excitement during crucial point-scoring, game winning moments of a game. They provide momentum in the sidelines when the crowd is lax and get them re-engaged in the game.
Don’t we all need that? Think about how powerful that “cheering” could be in real life! In our family! Someone to come alongside us during the tough times and encourage us. Someone to provide excitement during the life-changing, new challenge facing moments we all encounter in all ages and stages of life. And how amazing would it be for that “cheerleading” to come from folks that love you unconditionally and are always there for you? It would be family changing! Do your kids look for encouragement from you? As moms, we tend to do the lion’s share of positive talk with our kids. But Dad can to get in on the act and statistics prove how important this is!
Dads have the ability to set the tone for the whole family in this very way!! By encouraging us, the wife and mom, we feel affirmed which in turn fills up our “love tank” allowing us to continue nurturing. By Dad cheering on their kids, they feel valued and know they have a safe place to land even if the venture doesn’t end as planned. When kids know that words of encouragement from Dad will meet them after a success or failure, it builds their self-confidence to try again. When Dad models this behavior, it’s contagious and kids will mimic it which in turn helps them build friendships. Dad’s verbalization of his belief in their ability can help in the dark times and his cheering in the middle of the game just before the win is exhilarating!
My kids will tell me blow by blow every tiny little detail of events that happen or of a struggle they are wading through because they know I love to hear it all. However, they can be shy about divulging the nitty-gritty with Technology Dad. What they do look for from him is his initial reaction. What he says FIRST is life giving or heart breaking in one perilous moment. I try to give Technology Dad a heads up when I know the kids have something big to share so he is clued into their emotions. His cheering them on is the most precious event to watch. Whether he is physically in attendance at an event or hearing about it afterwards, his involvement is important. They may guffaw his hug or high five, but it’s exactly the attention they wanted, needed and maybe even craved. So continue to cheer on your families, Dads, and show your spirit!
When you were growing up who was your cheerleader? How does the Dad in your family cheer on your kids?
Read Often, Vote Daily.