I had a great childhood! My parents were awesome. It wasn’t what they did - it was how they did it. The family income was small and looking back on those times I realize just how difficult it must have been to make ends meet. We did lots of things together. I remember camping, driving holidays, board games, hikes, visits to friend’s houses, reading nights, cooking and gardening days. My parents were thoughtful towards one another and they still are.

I want to be a better dad and be as good as my father was. We have two children already and another one on the way. I want to be a truly great father. I know that good communication and shared time is a good start. Unfortunately my work time seems to leave the little spare time for my wife and family.

Our new baby will be joining us soon and I want to make sure that I provide appropriate support for my wife. Despite the fact that we already have two children and I have been helpful, I think I can be a much better dad, father and husband. What I needed is some helpful tips to be a better dad.

We see pictures of great dads everywhere. The magazines show us how wonderful the celebrity fathers are. It leaves me wondering how they managed to do it. I presume, if they are really good dads, they have asked others, read books, and worked hard to show their family that they love them.

It doesn’t take much to keep your wife happy. Do unexpected things like bringing home some roses, having a romantic night out or bringing dinner home. Think of ways you can help your family and your partner without being asked, for example, get home early and supervise the children’s homework. You have to think of ways you can be effective as a father.

There are many simple things you can do to show that you love being with your children. Make a special time to do things with them, for example, spending time at the local playground. Try to do things that help their mother as well for example taken out early Sunday morning for a walk while their mother has a sleep in. You and the kids get her breakfast in bed.

Even if they aren’t very effective, most fathers try very hard to be good dads. If you are going to change, make sure it is a long-term change rather than just a week when you turn into this new fantastic father. You have to maintain being a super dad. Your kids will be very unhappy if you turn on good fatherhood for a few days and then become the old grouch that you used to be.

Learning to be a better dad is like anything else, you need to plan and set goals. One useful strategy is to think of all the better parenting strategies that are positive, negative, and interesting. This idea comes from the lateral thinker Edward de Bono. As you explore options, write them down. Try out the things that look as though they are positive and would work well, do not employ strategies that are negative, and keep adding to the interesting list. Try out the new strategies and see how they work.

Work through your planned list carefully and don’t try to do everything at once. When you do try a new strategy, find out if the family appreciates what you have done. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you notice how much more positive they are about you. More importantly, you’ll know that you’re doing your job well and that you’re working hard to be a better dad.