Sudha Dixit

He was a judge He had seen many cases where stepmothers have wreaked havoc on stepchildren He refused to take any risk about the argument that the concerned lady might be a good human being. What if she proved to be the ‘bad stepmother’?

I was in my teens. I wanted my father to get married. He was lonely. Children cannot compensate for the loss of a spouse. He did not agree. He raised us as a single parent. He used to be shorttempered but after my mother’s death, he became very sensitive towards our physical and emotional needs I was a tom boy If any of our relatives commented on my dress or behaviour, my father told them that all his children were very responsible and they could take care of themselves.

He had complete trust in us It is so heart warming and reassuring when parents have faith in children It boosts their confidence

There are small things which are more important than big events. I saw a girl getting nervous about her examination’s result. Her father asked her why she was so jittery. She told him about her worry regarding the results. The father laughed and asked if she would at least get pass marks. The girl, who was aiming for first division, relaxed and burst into laughter. She got first division, but it was the way her father handled the situation, is commendable. Children seek to hold their mothers’ cloak when they need a sentimental asylum They look up to their father for approval Father is their role model in the practical world He is their mentor, guide and philosopher Whichever activity they involve in, they want their father’s support and appreciation in it An appreciating glance, a pat on the back from father, is the best reward a child craves for. I remember, I went to my mother to complain when someone bullied me or criticised me. When I sensed some danger that would hurt me physically, I ran to my father for protection. I knew that as long as I had my father to support me, nobody can harm me. A very common phrase, everyone must have heard, is – “I will tell my papa”. The child has firm faith that by threatening someone with this sentence he can scare his/her adversary.

Do you know about metamorphosis? Before becoming full grown butterfly, the moth is enclosed in Pupa It comes out only when it is ready to face the world A father is that wall of trust around the little child, before the child can grow into full fledged adult He cannot confront the practical world while he is in fragile and vulnerable state Presence of a father figure helps the kid to build up his confidence. Parental support gives him strength to be free of inferiority complex and develop a proper and powerful personality. The sense of security, provided by the father makes the child capable of warding off unnecessary fears and problems.

A man/ woman, lucky to have a loving and sensitive father must respect him in his sunset days, simply for being there.

Father remains a wall of trust and security upon which a child's life is built. Unconditional love, guidance, and invaluableinsightaddtoachild'sgrowthanddevelopment. Theselessonstheycarrywiththemfortherestoftheirlives.

TrustandbondbetweenmeandDadgrewstrongerwhenI uttered, "pa pa " stammering for the first time Dad reminiscedlookingatmelovingly.

Myfatherwhogavemelife,becamemyrolemodel.Hewas myeducationist,andmyspiritualguruandbecameapillar oftrustandsecuritywithpassingoftime Theseedsofmywell-beingwereplantedbyhisunwavering supportandunderstanding

The sense of stability and security that fathers provide helps children to grow up with confidence and trust in this world.

SlowlyIdevelopedfaithinmyselfandstartedtrustingDad more He helped me with my school projects Took me for the weekend outings as he strived to bring out the best in me.HeneverscoldedmebutmademerealizewhereIwas wrong.

Withhimbymyside,Ihadnofearofdarkness Icriedonhis shoulderintimesofgrief Hisremarkablestrength,love,and supportwerealwaysasourceofinspiration.