The Thing About Fathers: 365 Days of Inspiration for Fathers of All Ages

By Matthew Kelly

As a father, you spend your days and weeks, months, and years encouraging others. But let us not forget that you need a little encouragement and reassurance yourself from time to time.

Whether your children are young or old, I hope these words help you to rediscover and cherish your fatherhood. Whether your children live on the same street or on the other side of the world, may you allow fatherhood to continue to transform you each day into a-better-version-of-yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781635822205

Matthew Kelly

Matthew Kelly es un autor superventas, conferenciante, líder intelectual, empresario, consultor, líder espiritual e innovador. Ha dedicado su vida a ayudar a personas y organizaciones a convertirse en la mejor versión de sí mismas. Nacido en Sídney (Australia), empezó a dar conferencias y a escribir al final de su adolescencia, mientras estudiaba negocios. Desde entonces, cinco millones de personas han asistido a sus seminarios y presentaciones en más de cincuenta países. En la actualidad, Kelly es un conferenciante, autor y consultor empresarial aclamado internacionalmente. Sus libros se han publicado en más de treinta idiomas, han aparecido en las listas de los más vendidos de The New York Times, Wall Street Journal y USA Today, y han vendido más de cincuenta millones de ejemplares. A los veintipocos años desarrolló el concepto de «la mejor versión de uno mismo» y lleva más de veinticinco compartiéndolo en todos los ámbitos de la vida. Lo citan presidentes y celebridades, deportistas y sus entrenadores, líderes empresariales e innovadores, aunque quizá nunca se cita con más fuerza que cuando una madre o un padre pregunta a un hijo: «¿Te ayudará eso a convertirte en la mejor versión de ti mismo?». Los intereses personales de Kelly incluyen el golf, la música, el arte, la literatura, las inversiones, la espiritualidad y pasar tiempo con su mujer y sus hijos. Para más información, visita MatthewKelly.com

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December

Introduction

The early evenings of my life as a father have been filled with a most glorious ritual. My two oldest, Walter and Isabel, named it Special Time as soon as they could speak. And I am in wholehearted agreement, it is a very special time of day indeed.

After dinner, one-by-one, each of my children make their way down the far end of the house to my office for a few minutes with Daddy. My goals are: to make them feel seen and heard, to remind them that they are loved without exception, and to identify anything that is troubling their little hearts.

More than any other time in my day, it is a time of listening. As much as 93% of communication in an adult is non-verbal. It may be even higher in children.

So, even though I ask lots of questions, I listen. I try to listen to everything. I listen to what they say and what they don’t. I listen to the pause after I ask a question. I listen to their eyes. I listen to the inflection and tone of their questions. I listen to the way they laugh. I listen to how they lie next to me. And I listen to their snuggle, if it is tighter than usual or a little more detached.

How was your day? They get used to some of the questions, and their little answers become routine. They answer the first questions with hearts and minds far away.

How was school today? I’ll ask on a Saturday.

Good.

What did you do at school today? They begin to think about it and realize they didn’t go to school today.

You’re so silly, Daddy. I didn’t go to school today.

I ask more questions, and with each answer they reveal a little more of who they are and what is happening in their lives. What would you like to talk about tonight? What’s the best thing that happened today? Who did you play with at school today? What are you looking forward to this week/weekend? Do you have any problems? Is anyone being mean to any of your friends? What’s the biggest decision you get to make this week? Do you have any questions for me tonight?

You know they have grown up a little when they start asking questions about you and your day. A question as simple as, How was your day, Daddy? is enough to let you know they are ready to engage on a whole new level.

They call this part of the ritual Talking About Their Day. It is followed by story time and prayers; both are practiced unconventionally. For story time, I ask them to create a couple of characters, and then I make up a short-story based on those characters. Success is when they ask for a sequel the next night.

Prayer is practiced in two parts. What would you like to say to Jesus tonight? What follows defies description. It is beautiful and magical, awe-inspiring, and completely humbling. Their little hearts are so close to God and goodness, and each night, in some way, I realize once again that I have unnecessarily complicated my relationship with God.

The second part of their evening prayer is a simple prayer that has evolved over time. "Goodnight, Jesus. Love you, Jesus. Thank you