One hour to your son

One of my parenting articles that were published in one my Arabic books.

To the kind father: Do not forget to give your son the young man, one hour of your time today. Take him on a private picnic that gathers you both and talk to him like a friend talking a friend. Try to break any barrier that was left by days, nights and events that occurred between you two. Make the effort to be his father, friend, and companion. Build the bridges between you and him; lead him to talk about himself by starting to talk about yourself. Tell him about your projects and work for a brief, and then ask for his opinion, and consult him about some of the situations that occurred to you during work, and what would he do if he was in your place. Tell him that you are proud of him, and be honest when saying that, and know that your trust is the most thing he needs. Be funny, and draw the smile on your face, and he will be pleased with these moments, and his soul would be filled with pleasure and contentment. And be sure you loving father that your son is here today with you, and tomorrow his wings will grow and he will fly with them away from you. Don’t be astonished or amazed, or think that this is exaggeration or intimidation, but it is the plain truth. As for how long the son stays in his father’s home? And for how long the son’s eyes stay fixed on his father’s eyes? For how long that passion and that longing to be alone with the father and setting with him stay? They are only counted years you busy father, and then the son starts to face the life face to face, and now as he graduated from college, and then became a husband, and then a father, and he got in the life’s turmoil and pressures, you will be standing watching him from afar wondering when will you set for some quiet hours with this busy son? Yes, do not be astonished or amazed; life, when children grow, is completely different from how it was, as after studying and free times, work and responsibilities crowd on them hugely and noticeably. And probably these sons and daughters have their share of excuses that will take them out from the circle of neglecting their parents. But, isn’t it wiser that you busy father benefit from the times your son’s eyes are fixed on you like he is saying, if you didn’t accommodate me, and was generous with your time for me my father, then who will give me my needs of love and interest?

By Maryam Abdullah Alnaymi maryam.doha@hotmail.com