The commemoration of Father's Day over the weekend shows that it is possible to be the best dad in the world.

To have a dad is the most important and wonderful thing for any child. I appeal to all dads and husbands to ponder carefully how the pursuit of money has cost their families dearly. Is it your child's birthday you missed? Football match practice you didn't attend? A wedding anniversary you forgot?

It is much easier to be materially rich, I suppose, than to have a rich family life. Of course, we all know which is far more important.

But it's much easier to argue that money comes before family than thinking about cutting back on luxuries.

You can change your career to give your kids what money can never buy - a treasured time with you, for any dads out there concerned about balancing family life and making money, beware of the following six things that could potentially mess up your family life:

1. Broken promises

You want to climb the corporate ladder and get the extra bonus, right? Remember how it felt when you saw your kids' disappointed eyes when they asked you why you could not fulfil their promises.

2. Parentless kids

A two-income household is an unfortunate necessity for many people these days. There are bills to pay, of course, but somewhere along the line, luxuries can become needs. Mornings are a blur, dad's late for work, mom is rushing for traffic, and long work hours for money to get more things become a priority. Who, in the meantime, is modelling and shaping your kids?

3. Missing small things

My dad's advice to my brothers was always "don't miss the small things". It took me several years to figure out what he meant. Parents tend to put emphasis on the big moments, but life really happens during everything in between. Random moments of laughter are the bricks for a strong family foundation. An obsessive pursuit of a successful business and a good name can lead to missing the small things at home.

4. The materialistic child

When family existence revolves around money, kids tend to be materialistic. Money becomes the family religion.

5. Justification

Sometimes we use the need for money as justification for escape from an unhappy marriage or stressful family situation. For example, a man with a child who has special needs may use education costs as justification to work extra hours to meet the need. But in reality, money has become a convenient way to run from issues.

6. The company we keep

The people we surround ourselves with have an enormous influence on the type of parent we are. Generally when money is at the forefront of our existence, we surround ourselves with like-minded people. Consider the company you keep daddy. Are they diverse and varied in their schools of thought? Do they challenge you and not just you as a breadwinner? When you begin to surround yourself with high quality, well-rounded people, you will begin to see your own life take the same shape.

To all fathers in our country, I wish you a month full of inspiration to embrace who you are and I encourage you never to forget to demonstrate your tenderness of heart and boldness of your characters as dads and husbands.

Thedream@winniekunene.co.za