So my wife and I are trying our best to follow the advice of the book, Baby Wise. We are on the second book in the series and they mentioned that it was time to start teaching our twins sign language. According to the book when we say certain words we should make the sign that goes along with that word. So on a daily basis I look one of my twins square in the eyes and say “daddy.” I say “daddy” while make this goofy sign…
So the sign for daddy makes you look like a rooster. It feels pretty goofy teaching that to two four month old babies. It feels goofy but it’s important to me.
It’s important to show them who daddy is. The phrase, “who’se your daddy” just jumped into my head after I wrote that last line. Oh snap. Now another daddy quote has jumped into my mind. “Who is your daddy and what does he do?” Okay, I think I have that out of my system. Like I was saying before my thoughts rudely interrupted me, it’s important to show my kids who daddy is. The Bible compares God to an earthly father for a reason. Dad’s are supposed to protect their kids. Dad’s are supposed to provide for their kids. Dad’s are even supposed to discipline their kids when they misbehave. The dad plays an important role in a child’s life.
I’ve worked with students for 15 years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone struggle with God because they had daddy issues. They struggle with receiving His unconditional love. They struggle with understanding how when they mess up God still loves them. They struggle with understanding how they don’t have to earn God’s love. They struggle with understanding how to have a relationship with God. They struggle with God. My goal as a dad is that my kids would have an easy time falling in love with God because I’ve modeled what His love is like. I’m not perfect. I jack things up on a regular basis. But my kids will know that they are loved.
Do you know any sign language? Did your dad influence your view on God?
I know some sign language. We have an interpreter for our church worship experience as we have a deaf man. The lady who does our deaf interpreting is really good. And yes, he did influence. I had to get over the fact that God would not be unfaithful to me or accept solely on my ability to play baseball but accepted me unconditionally.
Bill, thanks for sharing. I didn’t know that you were a baseball player. I’m glad that you were able to find God despite your dad’s imperfections.
I know the sign to make when some jackwagon cuts me off in traffic … (just kidding). Keep modeling that behavior, even in the times when you get frustrated or disappointed. Consistency is important and necessary.
Very funny. Will do.
I just know how to say “I love you” in sign language. However, the best way to say that is with a kiss… and a hug. Nothing says I love you more than that.
Moe, no doubt that is true with kids. Although with guy friends it’s a little too much for me. I had a friend who would always kiss me on the cheek. It was weird to me.
Okay I can’t get the quote “Who’s your Daddy?” out of my head now. Too funny! Love the sign language – it’s nice to know that your twins will always know just WHO their Daddy is 🙂
You are welcome for that. Thanks for the comment.
Great post. My father had a huge impact on my spiritual upbringing and belief in God. We taught both our girls basic signing for “more,” “thank you,” “please,” “eat,” and “milk.” Our pediatrician was a strong believer that kids understand and can communicate much earlier than they can actually speak. She felt that the mouth and tongue muscles of infants are slow to develop, which prevents them from forming words and that gross motor communication (signing) would alleviate a lot of frustration for us and the kids. It worked wonderfully for us.
That’s great to hear. I love knowing people who had this work for them.
I think for most all of us, our Dad’s set some expectation for how we view God. Also, I think perhaps our other close relatives / caretakers strongly shape our view of God through their actions as well, Mom, Gram, Gramps, etc. Don Miller Has a good story about the Daddy/God thing in his book Blue Like Jazz, I think he has another book all about fathers but I haven’t read that one.
I love Blue Like Jazz. I have heard his book on Fathers is excellent but I haven’t read it either.
I know the sign for love and yes and a few others. And I have been shown the sign for “You almost made me wreck, you jerk” a few times. As for my dad’s influence on my view of God–I believe he helped it greatly with his love, grace, and humility.
No sign language for me. Sorry! 🙁
My taught (and still teaches) me about what what it looks like to have a servant-heart.
I know the alphabet and a guy named Chris who knows the rest. So I’m fluent when I’m with him.
My dad is the single biggest and best example I’ve had in my life for my relationship to God. I am so blessed to have a dad like him.
If I can be half the man he is, my kiddo’s going to be lucky too.