How I became a great dad

If you don't know already, I am a great dad.  No, serious...I am.  I spend lots of time with my kids, I cook for them, I take them to school and even changed diapers and wipe butts.  I love my kids and I am very hands on in their lives.  I don't expect some sort of award, I know that is to be expected of any good parent.

This Father's Day, I wanted to write about why and how I became this father.  Looking back at my own life with my father, I can say with confidence that I am the dad I am today because of him.  Let me explain:

- I kiss my kids everyday and tell them I love them.

My dad is very traditional and reserved.  He rarely would show any sort of emotion, unless it was about something bad we did and then it usually involved some sort of belt or stick.  He has probably told me he "loves me" no more than about 15 times that I can remember.  I know that he loves me, but we rarely express to each other that we love each other.  Because of this, I try my best to show and tell my kids I love them each and everyday.  Do I regret that my dad did not show more emotion? Not at all.  I know that he loves me, and that is all I really need.  We all want better for our kids, so I kiss and hug my kids everyday and tell them how much I love them.

- I cook for my kids.

I love to cook and love to eat.  My dad used to be home more than my mom, so he would cook almost all the meals at my house.  He would make us lots of delicious meals everyday with all types of ingredients. If you have ever seen "Eat Drink Man Woman", my dad was close to the father in this movie.  He showed us his love through food and cooking.  I also love cooking, even if it is just heating up some hot dogs and getting the cheese balls out, I do it gladly and show my kids that I love them.

- I take my kids to school and activities.

Growing up, my parents were very busy with work and did not have a lot of money.  They were rarely around to take us to extra curricular activities.  Being an immigrant with a language barrier probably did not help them feel more comfortable taking us anywhere.  Now, I have the time and resources to take my kids to all of their various activities.  Even if it is boring and expensive, I still do it because I know my kids love it.

So, this Father's Day, I am very grateful to my dad for all my experiences.  Good and bad.  We are all a product of our upbringing.  Hopefully we can take the best and leave the worst of our childhood and be the best parents to our kids.

I want to say Thank you dad for being who you are, because of you, I am the great dad I am.