In any healthy family, children should have both a mother and a father. Sure, life doesn’t always work out that way, and we all know there are plenty of situations where it’s just not possible. But let’s face it—having both parents in the picture remains the ideal setup for a child’s development. Children need their dad to take on the role of a father, and their mom to take on a role of a mother.
With both a father and a mother, kids get two unique role models to look up to. And since children are little sponges, learning by watching and copying, it’s a big deal when parents step up and embrace their roles.
A father has many roles, but today we will delve into the father’s role as a teacher.
If you are a father, wouldn’t you want a say in what your children are learning and decide what values, skills, and knowledge you want them to have?
So, for the dads out there, here are some things you can teach your kids!
The Role Of The Father As A Teacher: What They Don’t Learn in School
Ironically, many of life’s most crucial skills are rarely taught in school or university.
Students might delve into subjects like macroeconomics and chemistry, yet they often leave without understanding how to manage their own money effectively or work towards financial freedom.
Schools also fail to teach children how to handle unexpected crises, think critically, take responsibility through personal ownership, or even how to fix basic things around the house.
It feels like the education system tries to create “worker bees” that fit into a rigid system of societal rules.
Parents, and specifically fathers, have the incredible opportunity to learn about a variety topics and pass on the knowledge to their kids when they are young.
In doing so, they equip their kids with a mindset and skillset that will benefit them for life.
1. Teach Kids How to Think, Not What to Think
When examining modern schooling systems, one thing becomes clear: they are largely designed to produce individuals who fit neatly into society. While this isn’t inherently a bad thing, we should ask some serious questions about what this looks like in practice.
Who decides what “fitting in” truly means?
Current curriculums are predominantly shaped by governments. As the name implies, governments want to govern over people—they want people to behave in ways that align with their vision. What that looks like depends on the government and on the zeitgeist of the day.
The way governments get people to think and behave a certain way, is by using media and education as tools to influence the public.
This isn’t a new idea. Figures across the political and intellectual spectrum have pointed out how thin the line can be between education and indoctrination:
- “The line between education and brainwashing is paper thin.” – Yana Toboso
- “Religions survive mainly because they brainwash the young.” – A.C. Grayling
- “All you have to do to educate a child is to leave him alone and teach him to read. The rest is brainwashing.” – Ellen Gilchrist
While you and I may not agree with all these perspectives, they highlight one undeniable fact:
Education shapes belief systems.
This is why fathers need to be intentional about what their children are learning and decide what values, skills, and knowledge they want to instill. In some cases, this might even mean countering ideas children are taught at school. For some families, it may involve considering alternatives to traditional schooling altogether.
If children are inevitably going to absorb certain beliefs, parents must be cautious about what influences they allow into their lives. Teaching children how to think rather than what to think is key.
Developing their ability to analyze, question, and form independent judgments will equip them far better for life.
Older educational models like the Trivium—a classical approach focused on grammar, logic, and rhetoric—emphasized these skills. While diving into such methods is beyond the scope of this article, they are worth exploring for those who are interested.
For now, the takeaway is this: It is the role of the father to actively teach your children how to think critically and make judgments for themselves. The foundation you build will have a lasting impact on their ability to navigate the world.
A. Teach Practical Skills
Schools often overlook teaching kids practical skills, leaving it up to parents to fill in the gaps. For dads, this usually involves passing on essential life skills, such as:
- Fixing a flat tire on a bike
- Lighting a BBQ
- Changing a light bulb
- Buying or selling items online
- And many more simple, everyday tasks
While these might seem like common knowledge, many children never learn them. In today’s online world, kids might be pros at using their phones, but total noobs when it comes to solving real-world problems. Teaching them the basics now will make life much easier for them in the future.
For older kids who show interest, dads can go beyond the basics and introduce more advanced skills, like:
- Building furniture, like a cabinet
- Changing the oil in a car
- Caring for animals responsibly
- Installing electrical appliances
- Camping in the wild
These skills not only equip kids to handle life’s challenges but also give them confidence and independence. Despite their practical value, these lessons are rarely, if ever, taught in schools, which makes the role of a hands-on dad all the more important.
2. Responsibility Through Personal Ownership
Have you ever observed how people often treat rented objects? I’ve seen completely beat up electric scooters in large cities. If you compare those to the privately owned scooters, the difference is like night and day.
The same principle applies to houses. Renters who rely on their landlord to fix every little issue don’t learn the same level of responsibility as homeowners. Homeowners are invested in keeping their property in good condition because they’re the ones to pay the bill if something goes wrong. Ownership teaches responsibility in a way that renting never will.
This concept holds true for kids as well. When children own something, it’s crucial to teach them that they are responsible for it. If a father always steps in to fix every problem, the child begins to treat the object like it’s “rented,” assuming someone else will always take care of it.
Of course, how you approach this depends on your child’s age. For example, we gave our 5-year-old his very own tiny Christmas tree. He had the freedom to decorate it however he wanted, but he also had to take care of it and make sure not to damage the tree or ornaments.
The result?
Because it was all his, he took great care of his tree, and it turned into a wonderful lesson in responsibility.
The same lesson applies to money. A teenager who works hard for their paycheck will likely treat that money far more carefully than someone who just receives a weekly allowance without effort.
When it comes to the role of the father: As your child matures, you can build on this idea and make sure your child has ownership.
Here are some ideas to get started:
- a bicycle
- a computer
- a goldfish
- a personal bank account.
By practicing responsibility through ownership, your child will develop valuable skills that will serve them for life.
3. The Role of The Father In Financial Wisdom
While we are on the topic of money, we might as well dive into finances more. Becoming wise with money is certainly something kids don’t learn much about in school.
That’s where dads come in. Fathers have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to get their own finances in order, not only for their own benefit but also to pass those lessons on to their children.
Teaching children to save and invest money, even at a relatively young age, can instill a mindset that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Money is not just for buying candy and toys. That will only make kids greedy and needy.
Instead, money should be seen as a resource that opens up opportunities—whether for fun, helping others, or building something meaningful.
Expanding Kids’ View of Money
Help your kids understand the broader possibilities of money:
- Helping Others: They can use their money to give to those in need, which teaches them about generosity.
- Buying Assets: Teach them that money can be used to acquire things that generate more value or income over time.
- Investing in Themselves: Money can allow them to learn new skills or hobbies that could pay off later.
Quality Matters
At the time of this writing, we are teaching our 5-year-old about the concept of ‘quality.’ There’s a shop nearby that sells cheaply made toys, and these tend to break after just a few uses. Our son has noticed this, and as we’ve explained the idea to him, he’s beginning to understand that it’s often better to save up a bit longer for something that will last.
From Hobbies to Side Hustles
We know a 7-year-old girl who makes and sells wristbands. Of course this is not a real business, but it’s teaching her valuable principles.
As kids get older, encourage them to explore the idea of turning a hobby or interest into a small side hustle. This could be something as simple as mowing lawns, baking and selling pies, making and selling wristbands on Etsy, or walking neighborhood dogs.
These ventures provide a wealth of life lessons:
- Communication Skills: Talking with customers and negotiating prices.
- Financial Basics: Learning to invest money in materials and track profits.
- Creativity: Developing products or services that people value.
- Efficiency: Optimizing workflows to save time and effort.
Kids who do things like this are far ahead of their peers who just play videogames!
Fathers as Mentors
In this journey, the role of the father would be to mentor or coach your children. Teach your kids the basics of managing money and running a small business, but let them come up with their own ideas and plans. This fosters independence and builds their confidence in tackling real-world challenges.
I want my kids to know the following:
– money is a tool
– instant gratification is not the best option
– quality things are better than flimsy things
– you can use money to create opportunities.
If they develop the right mindset and the skills that come along with that. With the right guidance, kids will grow into self-reliant adults.
4. The Role of The Father in Spiritual Matters And Values
The role of a good father is to instill good values to his kids. Leaving that up to human nature isn’t going to cut it.
“If you want your kids to be LIKE you, they first have to LIKE you.”
Building a strong relationship with your kids creates the foundation for teaching them values that will guide them through life.
Spirituality also matters to kids. In school kids may be confronted with all sorts of religions, ranging from Christianity to Buddhism to Veganism. Politics also becomes a type of religion for many people.
This article is not about who is right and who is wrong. However, it’s inevitable that your kids will encounter these ideas at some point, so it’s important to equip them to handle them well.
As fathers, it’s our job to prepare our children to navigate these different worldviews with discernment. School will probably try to have its own influence. Kids may encounter classmates dabbling in strange or even harmful ideas, from occult practices to confusing ideologies.
If a child is standfast in his values and beliefs, he will be able to recognize other beliefs without being overwhelmed by them.
Children should know that it’s okay to disagree with others who believe something else, while doing so in a loving way.
Standing Firm in Their Beliefs
A child grounded in strong values and beliefs will be far better equipped to handle these influences. Instead of being overwhelmed or easily swayed, they’ll recognize other perspectives for what they are—worldviews that differ from their own.
Teaching your kids how to agree to disagree is a powerful tool. When they encounter someone with an opposing belief system, they can stand firm in their own values while engaging with others in a respectful and loving way.
By guiding your children in this way, you’re not just protecting them from being led astray—you’re empowering them to live confidently and compassionately in a world full of diverse ideas.
Love Your Enemies
One of the kids in our neighborhood hasn’t always been kind to our son. We explained to him that Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. Even though this boy hasn’t been very nice, our son’s attitude toward him has changed, and they now even play together during group activities.
Teach your kids Biblical principles and they will see the fruit throughout their lives.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
5. A Father’s Role in Preparedness and Calamities
In much of the Western world, we’re accustomed to the convenience of everything working seamlessly. Water flows from the tap, electricity powers our lives, and emergency services are just a call away.
But what happens when these systems fail?
What do you do if there’s no water or electricity for a week? If a fire breaks out? Or if someone gets injured in an accident?
Schools often don’t teach kids how to handle emergencies or survive unexpected situations. That’s why it’s crucial for dads to step in and teach their children the basics of preparedness and survival.
Practical Skills Every Kid Should Know
Are there any risks in your area? Or does anyone in your family have an illness?
Dads can play a significant role in equipping their kids with life-saving skills. Depending on their age, children can learn:
- How to Make a Fire: Understanding how to safely start and control a fire is not just a camping trick; it can be a survival skill.
- Growing Vegetables: Teaching kids to grow their own food fosters independence and resilience.
- How to Call Emergency Services (911 or local equivalent): Knowing how to stay calm and relay essential information can save lives.
- First Aid Basics: Skills like stopping bleeding, applying pressure to wounds, and basic CPR are invaluable in emergencies.
These are some examples and depending on your situation, you can choose what skills to focus on.
Preparing for Local Risks
Different areas come with different risks, so it’s essential to tailor what you teach to your circumstances. In our area, there is a risk of forest fires. When our kids are old enough, we will teach them how to recognize danger and go through what they should do in case anything happens.
Age-Appropriate Lessons
Every child is different, and their readiness to learn about these topics will depend on their age and maturity. The key is to turn these lessons into teachable moments that are both practical and engaging.
Make it fun for younger kids—like practicing fire safety on a camping trip—and gradually introduce more complex scenarios as they get older.
Conclusion
Despite what society might suggest these days, the role of fathers remains absolutely vital to the development and well-being of their children.
Dads have a wonderful opportunity to steer their kids’ lives in the right direction.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this article—share your perspective in the comments below.
And if you’re a man reading this… make the choice to teach your kids what they don’t learn in school. They will be very thankful for this when they are older!