Happy is the Dad...

Happy is the Dad who teaches his children to put away their toys before they start asking to borrow his tools.

Happy is the Dad who takes the time to listen to his children while they are still speaking to him.

Happy is the Dad who notices his daughter's haircut.

Happy is the Dad who teaches his sons tenderness and gentleness as primary life skills.

Happy is the Dadwho offers his children praise in public and correction in private.

Happy is the Dad who would rather make a lasting impression on his child than a passing impression on a stranger.

Happy is the Dadwho can appreciate his children's unique interests and abilities, even if they are nothing like his.

Happy is the Dad whose eyes can dance and leak their delight toward his children.

Happy is the Dad whose kids hear honor in is his voice when he speaks to their mother.

Happy is the Dad who is willing to be slowed down occasionally by a child eager to "help" him.

Happy is the Dad who is "facially literate", having learned to read what his child's expression is actually saying.

Happy is the Dad who doles out the discipline as long as necessary, and revels in the restoration as long as possible.

Happy is the Dad who works harder at leaving a legacy than leaving an estate.

Happy is the Dad who understands that children are intended to be primarily enjoyed rather than primarily endured.

Happy is the Dad who shows at least as much interest in his teen as he did when his teen was a toddler.

Happy is the Dad who teaches his kids when to take a stand and when to take a seat.

Happy is the Dad who is not satisfied with "not being as bad as some dads."

Happy is the Dad who recognizes the difference between imparting life to his kids and trying to live his life through them.

Happy is the Dad who can never forget his children's past heroics, and can't seem to recall their past failures.

Happy is the Dad who finds more satisfaction in his kids’ success than in his own.

Happy is the Dad whose kids seek his counsel, even if they’re not convinced they need it.

Happy is the Dad who brushes up on the traffic laws himself before his teenager takes driver’s ed.

Happy is the Dad who doesn’t gloat when he wins, and shows class the first time he loses for real.

Happy is the Dad who knows enough about his teen’s social media to care, and cares enough to know.

Happy is the Dad who accepts the fact that spiders will always be in his job description.

Happy is the Dad who has learned to face diapers with daring, and vomit with valor.

Happy is the Dad who teaches humility by example.

Happy is the Dad who has a strategy for channeling his anger away from innocent bystanders.

Happy is the Dad who remembers that he’s always under surveillance.

Happy is the Dad who treats his kids like tires: not too much pressure, not too little.

Happy is the Dad who hugs his kids tightly, but holds them loosely.

Happy is the Dad who understands that considerate children can only grow in the garden of consequences.

Happy is the Dad who knows that he is still Someone's child, and needs to listen to his Father, too.