I'm a single dad of a 5 year old, here are some ideas I have found helpful: -Work to become the kind of person you would like them to grow up to be- they wil

I'm a single dad of a 5 year old, here are some ideas I have found helpful: -Work to become the kind of person you would like them to grow up to be- they will follow your example, not your instructions -Slow down, be patient, and protect them from the stress and rush of adult life. If you are late and angry at them for not getting ready quickly, realize this is your fault not theirs- you didn't plan ahead -Be emotionally available. Validate rather than dismiss their concerns. Really listen to them. Be happy when they share difficult feelings or mistakes they made with you, instead of being angry at them. At the same time, don't be too emotionally vulnerable- they don't need to stress about your adult problems. -Encourage their passions and interests -Spend lots of quality one-on-one time with them, especially doing physical things outdoors. Take them fishing and hiking solo. Hours spent in nature one-on-one with a parent are the most valuable time in a kids life. -Be loving and kind to their mother, even if you aren't together anymore. Never complain or say negative things about her. -Help them be part of a community where they learn to know, trust, and interact with people of all ages- join clubs and bring them along, etc. -Adopt the mindset that you can take them to do fun activities together, and they are never a burden preventing you from doing what you want, but actually a chance to share what you love with them. Kids can do a lot more than you expect. -Learn to set boundaries and enforce rules with calm and kindness. Anger and losing your temper are weakness, not strength. Respond to conflicts the way you would hope they do as an adult. Some parenting advice that has helped me: -The daily dad: daily parenting tips and philosophy by e-mail https://dailydad.com/ -Book: Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross -Podcasts and blogs from Janet Landsbury https://www.janetlansbury.com/