Windsor, Ont. fathers share lessons learned in becoming a parent

Windsor fathers share lessons learned in being a parent.

Children do not arrive with an instruction manual — but, according to several Windsor fathers, they are remarkably good at holding up a mirror.

That was one of the lessons shared Saturday at the eighth annual LiUNA!625 Family Father’s Day Charity Extravaganza, where we asked dads a question: What has becoming a father taught you about yourself?

“It taught me that I need to spend more time listening,” said Justin Greer.

“We take things for granted too often. These kids have a lot to offer us that we just don’t understand all the time.”

He said watching his children learn to draw — and create stories about everything they see around them — has offered a window into how their minds work.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” he said.

“It blows my mind every time.”

Another father described children as miniature reflections of their parents, including some habits adults may not realize they have.

“Your kids are a mirror of who you are in many ways,” said Martin Vaughan.

“Often, the things that you don’t see about yourself are mirrored in the kids.”

Sometimes, he added, that means hearing a child repeat a familiar phrase and suddenly realizing where it came from.

“You’re like, ‘Oh, I say that. Okay, I’ve got to change how I talk or how I address people,’” he said.

“It’s a really good mirror to look back at what you do yourself.”

For Saran Singh, fatherhood brought an immediate lesson in unconditional love when he saw his daughter for the first time.

Before becoming a parent, Singh said much of his thinking centred around himself. Now, even small decisions come with a new question: How will this affect my children?

“You have to be very patient and do the right thing in front of the kids,” Singh said, adding that fatherhood has also taught him to find joy in small moments.

Massimo Borrelli said becoming a father completely shifted his perspective and showed him how much a person can change as life enters a new chapter.

“You’re not thinking about yourself and your life,” Borelli said.

“You’re thinking about a family now, and you just change your life in a good way.”

The free celebration, held at the St. Clair College SportsPlex, was organized by the Fantastic Fathers Community Group and LIUNA 625.

It featured activities including a soapbox derby, inflatables, magic shows, gymnastic performers, and a free Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling show.