Dr. Norm Wakefield: "The Joyful Dad"

Smart Dads

In 1975 Charlie Shedd wrote an excellent book called Smart Dads I Know. He describes men who used creativity and perseverance to overcome obstacles and build strong father/child relationships. The book challenged us to be deliberate and thoughtful in making parenting both fun and fruitful.

Charlie told about Bob, a long-distance truck driver. His job required him to travel ten days at a time, from Keno-sha, Wisconsin, to the West Coast. This dad was determined not to let his long absences undermine his family life. His wife described Bob this way:

“Bob’s the very best. When he is home, you should see the way the kids spend all their time with him. Drop everything to be there. They think he’s the greatest.”

Bob knew how to turn a liability into an asset. He’d often take one of his children on his long-distance run, just the two of them together. What child wouldn’t like to ride in the cab of a big semi? Because Bob was imaginative, he made it a big adventure.

Emmett, too, worked long hours during the week and had to travel. But he guarded his weekends for his family. In addition to family activities, Emmett reserved at least one hour for each child each weekend—just for the two of them. What did they do?

“Sometimes I just sit in their bedroom and we visit. We might go out to breakfast. Or shop for something they need. Play catch. Watch one of their favorite TV shows. But you can bet each one gets sixty minutes.”

Most dads have some adversity to overcome in parenting. We liked the love and creativity one dad exhibited. He was a single-parent dad raising his daughter alone. Here is the daughter’s account after she was an adult.

“When I started school, my father gave me ten cents. He said, ‘Patty, I want you always to keep this dime in your purse. Anytime you need me, you call me at the plant. Tell them you want to talk to your dad, and I guarantee they’ll let you right through.’

“There is no way I could tell you what that ten cent piece from my father meant. Even when I didn’t need him, just to know I had it in my purse made me feel secure.”

What is the adversity that keeps you from being the “smart dad” you want to be? One friend has gone through a painful divorce. His devotion to his four children is evident, and he has learned how to turn exhausting problems into opportunities. In spite of his divorce, we’re certain that his children will rise up and call him “blessed.” With a little creativity and perseverance you, too, can plant joy in the lives of your children. When that happens, you, like Patty’s dad, give your child something special to write about later.

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Dr. Norm Wakefield is a popular author, speaker, seminary professor, and joyful dad to five happy, adult children. A few of his sought-after books are Legacy of Joy (written with his son-in-law), Men are from Israel, Women are from Moab(written with his daughter), and The Dad Difference (written with Josh McDowell).

"A father’s heart brings love, his arms, comfort, his words, trust, his example, instruction, his smile, confidence, his presence, joy!"

--Author Unknown