By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_R_Bradley]William R Bradley
It doesn't take a genius to see that the family unit is undervalued in society. Moms have been ahead of dads in saying how their importance is minimized in the world's view. But now more then ever, so is the role of the father figure, who in some countries is rarely at home and always at work. In Japan, it is common to have fathers only spend time with their family on Sundays, since the rough commute and work schedule forces many to come home at late hours. This overworked figure many have adopted as their life has caused an increase in alcoholism and heart attack; work comes before family, in the world's view.
The US and UK may not have the same rigorous work schedule as say South Korea and Japan, but us dads still have the pressure of adopting the 9 to 5 routine, all the while struggling to find employment and time to somehow be a father. This structure is flawed at its core. How many people actually have a job they love and that revolves around them? Adding to this dilemma is the popular American fast food diet, which is cheap and eliminates the enjoyment of food that exists in say Italy. People are no longer eating food: we are eating faux food that is causing cancer to be on the rise, as well as heart disease.
The family pays for society's addiction to consumerism and a fast, misdirected lifestyle. Children are developing diabetes at a young age, and families are fragmented. Religions and spiritual philosophies are declining in many respects, and even though they may be severely flawed, most of these philosophies have had a deep respect and admiration for the family unit. In rel=nofollow [http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Faith-Filled-Kids-Opportunities-Spirituality/dp/0829414258/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314540560&sr=8-1] Raising Faith Filled Families, author Tom McGrath writes "Our world looks with suspicion at faith in God yet blindly accepts advertising claims that a new kind of toilet bowl cleaner will make life more exciting and fulfilling."
Coach Matthew Kelly points out the war between society and the family in his book Building Better Families. But what can we do about it? The key to to begin thinking outside of the box, questioning everything we are told to eat, have, or do and to put our focus back onto our families. The increase in working from home and homeschooling shows families are indeed questioning the status quo and looking to alternative forms of living in order to live healthier, happier lives.
As a work from home dad with asthma, I chose to leave the 9 to 5 behind in order to heal myself and find happiness. Initially I was met with difficulties on all ends, as working from home is a real challenge, especially finding out what's right for you. Because of my illness and how little Western medicine knows about it, I began searching for cures from Eastern medicine and nutrition, and thankfully found out why I had asthma in the first place. This took out the guess work and fear of an attack.
Every family is different, and this goes without saying. But the key to holistic parenting and being a dad focused on health and happiness is to stop listening to what mainstream media says and not let our peers and neighbors deem what is write for our lives. It may be more challenging to say work from home, or do what Talon from rel=nofollow [http://www.1dad1kid.com/]1 Kid 1 Dad does ( travel the world with his son) but it is certainly worth doing. Finding what our dreams are and then following them is absolutely the first step to holistic living. It makes our children proud of us.
William Bradley, [http://www.holisticdad.net]Holistic Dad
William Bradley: father, husband, actor, and holistic life coach
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Holistic-Parenting:-A-Dads-Guide&id=6524945] Holistic Parenting: A Dad's Guide
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