Guest Author - Jacqueline Geller

Father’s Day is right around the corner.

Tons of Dads will be celebrating their special day with their families. Tons of Dads will not.

Many Dads are serving their country and cannot be home with their families on this special day. To them, a special salute and a wish for continued safety and a happy homecoming.

Many Dads choose not to be part of their children’s lives. Some Dads have passed away and cannot be part of their children’s lives.

Some Moms fill both jobs, having chosen to have a child on her own or having been placed in the role involuntarily.

Some Moms are partnered with other females, so both people serve both roles.

However, children need positive role models of both sexes to meet their needs as they grow up. While opinions vary on this subject, it is important to remember that children need to learn to interact with both males and females in order to develop healthy relationships of their own.

When the “traditional” family is not the situation, where does Mom find appropriate and, more importantly, safe male role models for her children?

If Mom is dating, this does not mean that she brings her dates home unless there is a serious relationship formed. Children absolutely do not need the confusion of becoming attached to people who may or may not be in their lives for the long haul.

Grandpas, uncles and brothers are the first candidates to consider as mentors for the youngsters. Teachers, clergymen and male friends can be trusted friends to the tots, provided that they can make a commitment to be present and positive influences.

Whoever Mom chooses to fill this role, he absolutely must be trustworthy, considerate and committed. Children need someone besides Mom to tell their secrets to, to play ball with and to look up to. This does not mean, in any way, that Mom cannot do any or all of these things. However, having a male to turn to provides a gender balance that Mom cannot provide alone.

Little girls need to learn how to interact with males so that they can stay out of abusive or negative relationships when they begin dating. They also need to learn how to have positive male friendships that have nothing to do with romance. Little boys need to learn how a man treats women correctly, how a man fathers and befriends others.

While there is virtually nothing that a Mom cannot do, positive male role models can lend a helping hand.