Each week we feature a new dad from our community, in a segment called #FeaturedFatherFriday Tell Us About YourselfI am Jamy VanSyckle. My wife and I met when she was 13 years old and I was 15 at church camp. We had no idea what life would be like 25 years later…we now live just outside of Kansas City, in the heart of BBQ country. We have a 12 year old daughter, Isabelle, and an 10 year old son, Jackson. I am a social worker and have worked in that field for over 18 years through foster care/adoption and medical social work. I now work at a children’s hospital as a patient advocate, where I have the opportunity to work with patients and families in some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. What is your most memorable #DadTired MomentThis was a difficult question to answer because I love being a dad. I have had so many fun and proud moments as a parent. It is fun to watch my kids have a love for cooking. I have been teaching them since they were young about food and how to be in the kitchen. Recently my daughter and son have been getting up early on Saturdays and Sundays and making muffins or pancakes together without help (its kind of amazing). I also recently overheard my daughter encouraging my son to read his Bible everyday saying “its easy Jack, I just use this plan that tells me what to read each day…you should do it to. We could do it together if you want?” (I wish they always got along like this!) Best parenting advice you've ever received?Be vulnerable with your kids. Learn to apologize when your wrong, show them that you get sad (including crying), and empathize with their feelings without telling them to feel something different. Tell them when you have messed up and point them to the best Father. (that might be more than one thing!) What area of your life do you want to be more like Jesus? How do you plan on getting there?I want to grow in spending more time in prayer. I tend to do more “on-the-go” prayer times, but Jesus often went away to pray. This will help me build a stronger relationship with the Father and grow my dependance on Him, which is often hard for me as I tend to be really independent. My plan will be to use time alone each week to spend time alone in listening prayer along with praying for growth personally as well as others. Join the thousands of other guys who are reading Stop Behaving: A Gospel-Centered Devotional for men.
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