Fatherhood, Part 1

RH Family Making History

Being “Dad” is a big job! Fatherhood is a blessing. It’s also a challenge, and a huge responsibility. It’s vital to our families and to our church to have father figures. We’re joined in this first part of our three-part miniseries by David Curtis, Worship Leader at our Nolensville Campus, and T. Lusk, Campus Pastor at our Columbia Campus. We’re excited to get some great advice from these guys, and some encouragement we get to share with you!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• What types of things do you feel like dads struggle with when it comes to parenting?
  • David: There’s a struggle balancing discipline with the life-stages of toddlers and young kids. Is my three-year-old going to be a terror forever, or is this just a phase she’s in? There’s a balance between knowing when to lean in, and when not to lean in. When does a behavior require discipline, and when do I need to exhibit patience for something that is age-appropriate?
  • T.: I think a lot of dads struggle with patience when their “kingdom” is infringed upon—when they come home and things aren’t peaceful, the tv isn’t theirs, the house is a mess and the kids are loud. And in that situation, our response is not usually out of grace.
• What are some things you do with your kids to connect with them, to make lasting memories and impact?
  • David: We try to be intentional to set aside a day of rest. Our kids notice this, that we’re focused on God and resting in Him, rather than looking down at our phones or staying busy. We hope to make this a pattern in our home.
  • T.: We try to take our kids on “dates” where they get alone time with both parents throughout a season. And these dates aren’t fancy, they can be a trip to Home Depot, but it’s time one-on-one with mom or dad. The kids love it and ask for that time.
  • Chase: I try to connect with my daughter by doing what she wants to do in that moment, especially if it’s not something that I would normally be the one to do.
• What encouragement do you have for dads?
  • David: I grew up with a supportive dad—he cared about what I cared about. He leaned into what I was passionate about, worked to understand it, and trusted that God would direct that path. Take the time to support your kids and let them figure their path out for themselves.
  • T.: Slow down, and listen to your kids. Learn what they love so that you CAN lean in and support them along the way.
  • Chase: Model the behavior you want to see. It’s your job to model what you want to see in your kids. We care about what they’ll grow up to do, but we care MORE about who they’re going to become.