Being a dad can be a daunting challenge for many men. However, athletes in particular have many character traits that can make them a great father if harnessed correctly. By utilizing skills acquired throughout years of peak athletic performance, athletes can be the influential role model that children need in their lives to succeed.
Here are several characteristics that athletes possess that can make them fantastic fathers:
Passion and Motivation: Becoming a professional athlete took character traits that translate extremely well into a fatherly role. The long hours of training and constant push to be the best took passion and motivation, two characteristics that can be a positive influence on your relationships with your children. Being passionate towards your child’s hobbies and interests can help create lasting bonds, while the motivation you demonstrate can encourage and push them to succeed.
Coachability: All athletes have been coached at some point during their life. Being coachable not only equips you to better yourself, but can also help you pick up coaching abilities to pass on to others. Fatherhood is a lot like coaching, and using the knowledge you acquired from previous mentors can act as a blueprint for teaching the same values to your child.
Teammate Experience: As a professional athlete, your teammates are often looked at as your family. Channeling the same bonding experiences you shared with your team on the field into relationships with your children can help foster a positive bond that lasts a lifetime.
On-Field Adjustments: Professional athletes are extremely skilled at making adjustments on the fly. Being able to make changes seamlessly throughout a game can be the difference between a win or a loss. The ability to adjust is also a key factor in parenthood. While many fathers have a gameplan, not every child is alike, and each individual needs to be handled in a unique way. As a father, being able to make changes can help smooth the parenting process and help you better connect with your child.
This post is part of our #FathersTrust content series