I have always felt I am pretty good with kids, often exhibiting an ability to stop them from crying (in positive, no violent ways!) and enjoying cuddling the baby, playing with the toddler. But now as I’m about to becoming a parent myself it feels like the playing field has shifted and I have no idea what I am going to be like as a Father.

I hope in many respects my counselling training will help and enable to understand a bit more about what is going on for my wife and baby, but most importantly to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. I will make mistakes, I will not always be the role model I want to be. I hope though that it times when I mess up I will model humility and forgiveness. A phrase often used is of the “good-enough” mother. It’s my aim to be the good-enough father, and then anything above that is bonus!

One thing I have been thinking about is a family worship time. I don’t necessarily meaning sitting around singing, but praying together, reading scripture and talking about Jesus. The trouble is that, not being from a Christian home, this was not modelled to me, and I am not aware of others who do this on a regular basis. What I’m really wondering is how you do it? What do you include? When do you do it? How do you include/encourage the kids.

I just read this article about pastoring your children which was interesting and helpful