Today is Father’s Day. A day when we honor our fathers and father figures in our lives. Smyrna resident Jeremiah Aiken shared his thoughts on being a father. We celebrate all our heroes through his story.
Faith is an integral part of parenting to Aiken and his wife, Mo. “Mo and I both grew up in Christian homes. We both went through dry spells in high school and college with our faith. When we met, and throughout our marriage, it has become the focal point of everything for us, especially when it comes to parenting,” said Aiken, who is an Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer at WellStar HealthPlace. He also works with his wife in their ministry, Boldlife Initiative.
The couple has two daughters Auden, age 4, and Asher, age 2, and a son, Ronan, age 1.
Aiken sees God as the example. “I look to the divine model of God the Father. Just trying to be the shepherd in (the children’s) lives and instilling Godly attitudes and Biblical character in my kids, it’s the authority we fall under and try to instill in our kids,” said Aiken whose father was in the military and family lived all over the world in places like Zambia, Hawaii, and Colorado. Mo grew up in East Cobb and graduated from Lassiter High School.
Aiken and Mo strive to live as an example for their children. “By honoring God. Honoring their father and mother. Honoring loving and respecting each other as siblings. Honoring and loving their neighbors. From those four things, so much flows out of that,” Aiken said.
Aiken relies on the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
“When you break those things down, it flows out to everything—with our kids, getting them to love each other and love the people around them well. Especially in today’s world, it’s going to prevent them from building up these prejudices and looking at people differently. Just appreciating the differences in the people God made around us,” Aiken said.
The couple also embraces a team approach to parenting. “We include the kids in all things as much we can. We’re always telling them that, ‘We’re all teammates and Daddy’s the leader, and Mommy comes right alongside Daddy.’ We tell Auden, ‘You’re the oldest, so you’re the leader of the kids,’” Aiken said.
“We are trying to encourage them that each person has a role to play. Of course, we’re all individuals but, collectively, we all have a function within the body of the Aiken family. We want each kid to know they have a valuable role. So we say, ‘Family Team on Mission,’” Aiken said.
Showing up and being present is essential in the world of technology. “Spending quality time together is so huge in today’s world. You don’t see that quality time spent together as a family. We intentionally set aside one day a week. We do a big Friday night dinner every week. We build it up, and the kids really look forward to it. On Saturdays, we try to unplug. Put the phones away. Try to limit technology and be together as a family. That intentionality is super important, especially at younger ages. We are the model our kids look to,” Aiken said.
Parenting comes with its challenges and rewards. “When you become a parent, you experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Even in the lowest of lows, to know your children seek that comfort in you and looking to you first, it’s a tall order to fill that role. But it’s also such a rewarding role. It’s just so special, especially at this age when they’re little, and they come to you before anyone," Aiken said.
Photos courtesy to Marietta Talks
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