The Big Realization That Helped Me Become A Better Dad, According To 10 Men

Every parent has had an “ah-ha” moment, a time when suddenly and often inexplicably, clarity takes over and a realization sets in that helps you reframe who you are as a parent and person in general. Maybe you realized that you were being too serious and not silly enough with your kids. Maybe you realized that it’s much better — and simpler — to be honest with children about the long hours you work. Such moments can be as refreshing as they are eye-opening, reframing duties and elevating the concepts of compassion, understanding, presence, and making the most of every moment. These moments of clarity are important. As important is sharing them so that fellow dads can learn the hard-won lessons a little bit sooner. That’s why we asked a group of men to share the realization that made them a better father . They shared stories of ah-ha moments both small and large that happened at charity book fairs and in classrooms. Each contains a bit of wisdom that fathers both young and old might learn a thing or two from. 1. I Realized I Didn’t Need To Keep Work and Family Separate “I’ve always been a busy working professional, and I tried my best to make it work with my family. At one point, my son came to visit me at work, and I had a revelation that made me realize what kind of dad I wanted to be. I always tried to keep work and family separate, but this was the time I realized that it didn’t have to be that way. When my son visited, he was very curious about my work and would constant…