Being Present and Purposeful as a Father

Sir Emanuel

Being present as a father—really being present—is so much more than just sitting in the same room as your Children. It’s about showing up fully, you know, emotionally and mentally. It’s about giving them your undivided attention, creating that space where they feel heard, understood, and safe. And I’ve learned, honestly, that this presence is one of the most powerful gifts you can give to your child.

Sir Emanuel

Now, let me tell you a story. There was a time I couldn’t make it to my son’s basketball game. I was really backed up with work, doing what had to be done, but missing that game—it stayed with me. And not just because I wasn’t there, but because I missed the chance to support him in a moment that mattered to him. That experience! That’s what made me commit to being more present whenever and however I could. After that one missed game, I never missed another, and I was there for every practice

Sir Emanuel

But here’s the thing—presence doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional. Our world is full of distractions. Phones buzzing, emails piling up, TVs on in the background, you name it. And so it becomes an active choice. Like, when you step through your front door, you gotta put all that noise aside. Turn off those devices, set them down. When you’re with your Children, let their world take center stage.

Sir Emanuel

And one of the simplest, but most meaningful ways to connect. Share their interests. If your son or daughter loves painting, hey, sit down and paint with them. If they’re into video games, grab a controller. You might be terrible at it—I certainly was—but those shared moments stick. They see you trying, they feel your effort, and that’s what they’ll remember.

Sir Emanuel

Another thing that’s been a game-changer for me is practicing mindfulness. I started with simple breathing techniques, just training myself to stay in the moment. It’s amazing how much more connected you feel when you’re truly focused on what’s happening right now. I mean, our children are incredible at picking up on whether you’re really with them or if your mind is wandering somewhere else.

Sir Emanuel

These small, intentional choices—putting the phone down, engaging in their world, practicing mindfulness—they send a loud and clear message to your child: they matter to you. And when they feel that, It builds so much trust, it’s like a foundation for their emotional growth. They grow up knowing they’ve got a rock they can count on, and guess who that is, "You?!"

Sir Emanuel

So, let’s dive into something equally important—leading with purpose. See, being present is one part of it, but the other side is about showing your children what it means to live with values. And, you know, it’s not just about what you say; it’s about what you do every day.

Sir Emanuel

For example, something like family meals—it might seem small, just an ordinary thing, but it’s actually anything but. Sitting down together, sharing a meal, talking about your day—it’s a chance to show respect, to show you value that time together. It’s where your Children see you prioritize them over everything else, pulling at your attention. And those moments, they add up, they should be able to tell stories about conversations they remember having while sitting and having a meal together.

Sir Emanuel

Or take shared chores. Yeah, chores. Doing the dishes with your children or mowing the lawn side by side—it’s not just getting work done; it’s teaching them about teamwork, responsibility, and being part of something bigger than themselves. And don’t underestimate how much those small, everyday routines can teach.

Sir Emanuel

Now, here’s the tricky part—what happens when our actions slip? Because let’s be honest, none of us is perfect. There’ve been times when I’ve said, “Let's get it done,” but maybe I left a task unfinished or got distracted. It happens. But what I’ve learned is, those moments—those slip-ups—they can still be powerful teaching moments. Because when you own it, when you talk to your Children about it and say, “Hey, I didn’t quite live up to what I was trying to teach today, but here’s how I’m gonna fix it,” it teaches them accountability. It shows them grace, for themselves and others.

Sir Emanuel

And honestly, leading with purpose isn’t just for their benefit. It sharpens us as fathers, makes us more aware of who we are and who we want to be. When you model respect, integrity, and hard work, our children aren’t just hearing it. They’re seeing it, they’re feeling it, and that’s what sticks with them. Every little action—it all matters.

Sir Emanuel

Let me tell you, some of the strongest bonds we have with our Children come from the simple, everyday moments. You don’t need anything fancy—just being willing to show up and get into their world is what matters. It’s games, hobbies, even those daily routines that, over time, become the fabric of your relationship.

Sir Emanuel

Here’s the thing—when you spend time doing what they love, you’re telling them, “Hey, I see you. I hear you.” And that builds their confidence, their sense of belonging. It tells them, “You’re worth my time.” And they carry that with them, like a kind of armor, well into adulthood.

Sir Emanuel

I’ll share something personal. In my family, we started this tradition years ago: Sunday morning Breakfast. My wife would prepare a nice old-fashioned breakfast, and I would prepare the topic of discussion. Sometimes I would let them know what the topic was going to be about, and sometimes I wouldn't. But over time, those talks became something so much bigger. My goal was to have my children be comfortable speaking about anything. That turned into a time where we’d talk—sometimes about nothing in particular, and other times, about things they wouldn’t bring up anywhere else. They’ve seen everything—laughter, advice, even silence. But the point is, we were there, together. And now, that tradition it’s a cornerstone of our bond.

Sir Emanuel

See, those moments, whether it’s playing a game of Chess or even just sitting down, one-on-one —the memories add up. And they don’t just stick with your children; they shape them! They feel valued, they feel loved, and that becomes part of who they are. But here’s the kicker—it works both ways. It shapes us as fathers too. It reminds us of why we’re here and what really matters.

Sir Emanuel

So, as we wrap this up, I want to leave you with this: being present, leading with purpose, creating those lasting bonds—it’s not some big, miraculous thing. It’s the little moments, done with intention and love. And those moments, they’ll carry your Children farther than you might ever realize.

Sir Emanuel

And on that note, thank you for letting me share this space with you today. Keep showing up, keep leading with purpose, and keep building those connections. You’re making a difference, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it. Until next time, take care of yourselves and take care of your families. Be Safe!