December is such a great time of year.

Where I live, we enjoy a lengthy holiday season, decorated houses and yards colorfully lit up at night, the sending and receiving of Christmas cards, fantastic Christ-focused music playing in the stores, delicious food with family and friends, and extended downtime from work to spend with our family.

Andy Williams’ song indeed says it best… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

But there is something else I like that is unique to December…

It gives us an opportunity for two very important things:

1. Reflect on the year coming to an end
2. Consider and plan for the new year approaching

As dads, this involves significant action on our part!

So, how was your 2009?

Did you spend enough time — quality time as well as quantity — with each of your children this year?

How about time with your wife?

Did you teach and train your children in the things you wanted them to gain understanding in this year?

Would you say they are closer to reaching your goals for their lives than they were at the start of this year?

Is your marriage richer, closer, and more fulfilling for both of you than it was at the beginning of this year?

How will 2009 be remembered in your memories?

I encourage you to write down at least one top memory you have with each of your children and your wife from 2009.

In fact, why not gather the family together one evening after dinner and just sit around and share memories from the year? Reminisce about the fun times and signficant events and memories from 2009, and even write them down or have a recorder handy while everyone shares.

And then consider and discuss how you might make 2010 an even better year… for you personally, for your marriage, and for your family.

Have a planning time with just your wife too. It’s a great bonding experience.

Listen carefully and openly to her input.

Let me encourage you as we wrap up this year to also set aside some time alone to reflect on the year we are about to say goodbye to, and plan for the new year.

Spend time praying about this, too, discerning God’s direction for you and your family. Listen to Him most of all.

And commit to honor Him in the new year as the dad of your children, the husband of your wife, and the leader of your home.

Blessings to you and your family,
Joey Watkins
Founder, FamilyDads.com

P.S. – As you consider your year-end giving, if you can help FamilyDads with our ongoing financial needs, we could sure use it.  It will encourage me personally, but more importantly provide much needed funds to help more dads discover, embrace, and maximize their influence and leadership in their family in 2010.

P.P.S. – Thank you to everyone who has done some of their Christmas shopping at DadResources.com this month. You can still place orders using Priority Mail for delivery in time for Christmas. Shop here.

December is such a great time of year.

Where I live, we get to enjoy a lengthy holiday season, decorated houses and yards colorfully lit up at night, the sending and receiving of Christmas cards, fantastic Christ-focused music playing in the stores, delicious food with family and friends, and extended downtime from work to spend with our family.

Andy Williams’ song indeed says it best… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

But there’s something else I like that is unique to December…

It gives us an opportunity to do two things:

1. Reflect on the year coming to an end
2. Consider the new year approaching

As dads, this involves significant reflection on our role in our family.

So, fellow dad, how was your 2008?

Here are some questions I’m asking myself as a dad…

Did I spend enough time, quality time as well as quantity, with each of my children this year? How about with my wife?

Did I teach and train my children in the things I wanted them to gain understanding in this year?

Are they closer to reaching my goals for their lives than they were at the start of this year?

Dad, how will 2008 be remembered in your memories?

Among my top family memories are…

1) Attending with my son Andrew our first father/son outdoor camping trip/retreat… which was also a highlight of his year!

2) Enjoying a “1950’s” themed father/daughter dance with Angela. To this day, she proudly displays our dance photo beside her bed.

3) Washing our car “shirtless” with my 5 year-old son Abraham in Florida.I will always remember him asking if he needed to take off his shirt, because he wanted to be “just like dad.”

And my wife and I had a short but relaxing getaway at a nice hotel on a gorgeous beach in Florida… something we very rarely get to do alone without our children in tow.

Dad, let me encourage you as we wrap up this year to set aside some time alone to reflect on the year
we are about to say goodbye to.

Do this together with your wife too. It’s a great bonding experience.

Share your memories and thoughts with one another. Reminisce about the fun times and significant events
and memories from 2008, and even write them down.

And then consider and discuss how you might make 2009 an even better year… for you personally, for your marriage, and for your family.

Listen carefully and openly to your wife’s input.

Spend time praying about this, too, discerning God’s direction for you and your family. Listen to Him most of all.

And commit to honor Him in the new year as the dad of your children, the husband of your wife, and the leader of your home.

Blessings to you and your family,

Joey Watkins

Founder, FamilyDads.com and DadResources.com