Father and Family Council December 2022 vol1 ed1

“I knew. Even as a very young adult, the way Eddy was with the children of others, I just KNEW he would be an amazing father one day.”

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Everything seems to move so fast as we pass through Thanksgiving and enter the Christmas Season! For many of us, it will be a welcome time as we are able to gather once again as families.

At Father and Family Council, we are taking some time to focus on Gratitude. It is so easy to get caught up in looking around at what it seems everyone else has. Lost in advertising meant to stoke the desire fire!

Its important that we intentionally take some time to focus our family on gratitude for the blessings that we do have. Sometimes the little things are easy to overlook.

Dads, gratitude starts with a right assessment of our needs and wants. It leads to contentment. What more could we want for our families?

A Shout Out To: Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida

Congratulations on being a consistent and powerful voice for the positive presence of Fathers since 2010!

Dads Club is grateful for the opportunity to work with Holly Zwerling and the rest of the Task Force on this important mission! Click here to visit Holly’s web site

Eddy Martinez

National Family Week & Thanksgiving

For more than 45 years, the week including Thanksgiving has been proclaimed National Family Week. President Biden has issued a proclamation designating November 20-26, as National Family Week, 2022. This observance was the idea of Mr. Sam Wiley, a teacher, basketball coach, and school administrator in Indiana who observed the stark difference in children who came from strong, supportive families and those who were not being raised in a traditional family unit. He conceived of the idea to set aside a time during Thanksgiving when families traditionally gather to give thanks for their many blessings to recognize the important role family plays in our society. It has been proclaimed by every President of the United States since Richard Nixon in the early 1970s. As Ronald Reagan said in his first National Family Week proclamation as President:

“The family is the basic unit of our society, the heart of our free democracy. It provides love, acceptance, guidance, support, and instruction to the individual. Community values and goals that give America strength also take root in the home. In times of change and challenge, families keep safe our cultural heritage and reinforce our spiritual foundation.

As the mainstay of our national life, family life must be preserved. When a family needs external assistance to help it to perform its unique role, this assistance should not interfere with the family's fundamental responsibilities and prerogatives. Rather, aid should be supportive and purposeful in strengthening the family's stability, self -sufficiency and permanence.

NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK is a time to be thankful for the family as a national heritage and resource. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the concept of the family a concept that must withstand the trends of lifestyle and legislation. Let us pledge that our institutions and policies will be shaped to enhance an environment in which families can strengthen their ties and best exercise their beliefs, authority, and resourcefulness. And let us make our pledge mindful that we do so not only on behalf of individual family members but for AMERICA.”

Spotlight On Men

I knew. Even as a very young adult, the way Eddy was with the children of others, I just KNEW he would be an amazing father one day. My heartfelt instinct was right – blessed with identical twin boys, and then a little girl just one year later, his commitment, presence, and love for our new family of 3 under 3 was (and is) omnipotent. Tickle wars and monsters under the covers are just more fun with Dad! While I, mom, am worrying about something breaking (bones included), or a mess, Dad is just able to BE. No car seat or stroller was too much for him to handle and rocking a Dad diaper bag? – oh he had it! Eddy just never skipped a beat with what was needed, especially in those early years of bottle feedings, diaper changes, and emotional dysregulation (Aka lots of crying!). With a very vigilant eye and loving heart, Eddy is our protector, our voice of reason at times, chauffeur and, we got a bonus that he is very handy too! Being in the Dad’s club, I feel that Eddy gets his time to shine and bring to light something that comes very natural to him, which is being a Dad. It’s a 24/7 role that for the most part goes un-recognized, therefore, to have a place where Dads can be celebrated is powerful! The neat thing about being a Dad is that there are no pre-requisites required –no perfect upbringing needed, degree, or high scores from a test So every Dad, when they come with intention, purpose, and love, brings something unique to his family. I get to take this moment here to say, especially our Dad! We are so happy to celebrate this very deserved nomination with you & we love you “Papi”, – Miriam, Eddy Jr., Evan & Madison

Eddy Martinez

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Volunteer

Men, if there is one message we hear consistently at every school and location, it is “We Need Positive Male Role Models”

We know that not every home has a Dad present or available. And yet children need to see and learn from the example of a real-life person, not from social media, tv or even their friends!

Here is a great way for grandfathers, coaches, pastors and others to get involved in a very meaningful and easy way. Whether it is Reading to a school classroom, 5000 Role Models, Lunch Pals or one of many other opportunities, you can make a difference (and the results are immediate)!

Web Site for more Information