{"id":4086,"date":"2020-06-04T05:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T11:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/?p=4086"},"modified":"2020-06-04T05:00:55","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T11:00:55","slug":"7-ways-to-encourage-our-farm-fathers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2020\/06\/04\/7-ways-to-encourage-our-farm-fathers\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Encourage Our Farm Fathers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If I could show you a way to increase the family harmony on your farm and help you be more profitable at the same time, would you listen? Would you be courageous enough to look at your own issues, strengths, and weaknesses? I bet you would if it was easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People problems on the farm are nothing new. The fact is many farm families are avoiding basic things that could make a huge difference in decreasing their stress levels and increasing energy for getting things done. The way to do that is to encourage the heart of your business: your people. And since it is June, I want to focus this month on encouraging our farm fathers.<\/span><\/p>\n

[Tweet “It\u2019s June and time to celebrate #fathers! I am challenging all #farmfamily members to use this opportunity to provide dad with extra #encouragement and #support. 7 great ideas in my latest blog post! #farming #fathersday”]<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a list of practical encouragement, based on the work of Gary Smalley and John Trent, who wrote \u201c<\/span>The Gift of the Blessing<\/span><\/i>.\u201d I\u2019ve added some practical tools as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 Ways to Encourage Our Farm Fathers\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Praise and acknowledgment.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"praise<\/p>\n

As founding farm fathers age, they wonder what their new roles will be when their names are off the land titles, or they aren\u2019t the main manager anymore. Forty years of farming earns respect in my books. Can you acknowledge your dad\u2019s wisdom and praise him for his hard work? With the \u2018Great Pause\u2019 that we are in, the uncertainty of the future drives more anxiety. Gratitude is a good antidote.\u00a0 Are you thankful for the \u201cleg up\u201d he has given your operation? Ask him what he thinks and honour his opinion.\u00a0 All ages need affirmation. \u201cI appreciate your input Dad, and I respect your years of experience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Drain away unresolved anger.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

You change air and fuel filters for better performance. How about getting rid of your anger filters and work towards conflict resolution?\u00a0 Visit my <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> to get ideas.\u00a0 Being angry sucks energy out of your being and decreases your efficiency as a farmer. What would you regret if you found Dad dead beside the baler? Father\u2019s Day is a great deadline for forgiveness and extending the olive branch to seek true peace in your family relationships. Smalley says that unresolved anger \u201ccloses a person\u2019s spirit. Prolonged anger can lead to depression, ulcers, or high blood pressure. These are just a few of the emotional and physical problems that can accompany anger!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Smalley suggests:<\/span><\/p>\n