Justin Batt - Daddy Saturday: How to Be an Intentional Dad to Raise Good Kids Who Become Great Adults

Every generation produces leaders who emerge from the status quo and set a fresh standard for others to consider. Thats exactly what Justin Batt is doing in his quest to make Daddy Saturday a special day for fathers and their kids.

Justin experienced success in corporate America, but it came with a cost. Not only did his travel cut into the time he could devote to being a great dad, but his wife and the mother of his four children started a business that required her to work on Saturdays. The obvious became a reality. Being supportive of his wife and a committed father to his growing brood, every Saturday Justin would provide the support, nurture, and all - around care for his children.

Justin went all - out in his Daddy Saturday role, and from his experiences he has catalogued fifty - two ways to encourage your fathering creativity and provide you with practicaland often excitingways to get the max out of your Saturday time with your kids. His book outlines this journey. Justins ultimate goal is to lead an effort to encourage and challenge all dads to make the most of any time they invest in connecting with their kids.

What if all dads were passionate about their fathering? What kind of precedent would that set for the next generation? Im not sure, but after reading Justins book we are going to find out.

On the flip side, we do need to realize that fathering, if it isnt prioritized, can slip into a minor role in a mans life. Unfortunately, many men can go for years without really appreciating that their children are only under their care for a short window of time, and then they blink and its gone. Thats an overstatement, but ask any older father if there are issues he wishes he had discussed, events he missed, or things he should have done differently, and his response will remind you how important being a dad really is.

Men, if we fail to make the most of those day - to - day fathering moments, where strong, affirming connections with our kids are being formed, then we can too easily slip into mediocrity, and that just doesnt cut it in the fathering world. Our children deserve better.

Daddy Saturday is a clarion call for millennial dads to step it upand they must.

If you were gifted with a good dad growing up, thats a huge benefit and you can learn from the positive things you saw in him (although none of our fathers were perfect). However, if your dad was absent or distant or harsh with you, then maybe youre longing to fill the void in your heart by being intentional and engaged with your children. Well, guess what? Youre on the path to becoming an overcomer father, which will distinguish your legacy and life as a dad. And theres more.

Research clearly supports the notion that children with healthy, involved fathers have higher measures of self - confidence , are less susceptible to peer pressure, and are less likely to drop out of school, engage in risky behaviors, and the list goes on and on. All to say, your kids wont be perfect, but you can give them a foundation thats rich in character and strengthand numerous related positive qualities that are so needed in todays youth.

So, heres the challenge Justins book brings to you: Pick a few ideas from this book that appeal to you and that are achievable. Try them. Adapt them to your situation. Make them your own, and start a tradition in your fathering journey to have a few regular, predictable things you are going to do that will make a difference.

There are no guarantees, but I can tell you this after watching thousands of dads over the years: if you make these times of connection with your kids a priority, you will be fulfilling one of your God - given roles and, most importantly, youll provide a legacy for your children and family that will impact future generations.

Ken Canfield PhD.
Founder, The National Center for Fathering