While her meals aren’t digestible, they’re just as wonderful as my son’s. For you see, it’s truly a joy watching her get pleasure from trying to get it right, all on her own.

Tonight, as I write this, my son is once again in kitchen, taking orders from his dad as he prepares his very first FAMILY meal! It’s amazing how things can change on a moment’s notice. And my daughter is begging to make her grandparents a cake.

I can just see it now, a personal chef of my very own! No more eating out and gaining weight. No more expensive dinners where we wished we would have just ate at home. No more cooking my own meals only to be disappointed in taste. No more complaining that it took 2 hours to prepare, 15 minutes to eat, and 30 minutes to clean up. And best food in world, right here at my finger tips and a moment’s notice. Hey, a mother can dream, can’t she?

6.Be nurturing with your kids

Hug and kiss your kids, and let them hear plenty of “I love you’s.” And also don’t forget to wrestle with them. Both boys and girls benefit from wrestling with their dads. Kids need to see your “soft” side, so show it to them frequently.

7.“Really” listen to your kids

Put down newspaper and look your kids in eye when they talk to you. Be aware of your own tendency to “filter” what your kids say. Reflect back what you heard from them. If you want them to listen to you, you’ve got to show them way.

8.Examine your relationship with your own father

A poor relationship with your own father will affect your ability to be an effective father. Are there things you want to say to your father? Ultimately, forgiving your father will go a long way towards allowing you to father to best of your ability.

9.Take care of yourself

It’s difficult to be kind and nurturing to your family if you’re not kind to yourself. Find ways to take time to relax, exercise, and keep your stress levels lower. And use friends and family to support you—don’t become an “island” in your family. Your family will appreciate it.

10.Have a plan for your anger

Men can have a difficult time with overwhelming emotional intensity that families can experience. The result is often anger, which breeds anger in your kids and creates a vicious cycle. Make a plan with a specific relaxation technique that helps to defuse your anger. Remember that one bad episode can impact your kids for a long time.

Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches men to be better fathers and husbands. He is the author of “25 Secrets of Emotionally Intelligent Fathers” http://www.markbrandenburg.com/father.htm. Sign up for his FREE bi-weekly newsletter, “Dads, Don’t Fix Your Kids,” at http://www.markbrandenburg.com