7 local dads share their top parenting tips on Father's Day

This weekend, we celebrate Father's Day, a special day for all the men in our lives- our biological fathers, step-fathers, husbands, adoptive fathers, fathers of our pets and anyone else who has played this role in some way in our lives. And rightfully so.  

Here in Chicago, we have a lot of noteworthy dads--quietly making a big difference in the lives of their children while, at the same time, learning from them too. Here's some great advice from seven local dads who "have gotten it right." 

John Huff is a retired associate judge who loves living in Old Town and is a dad to two boys, Jonathan (38) and Christopher (41) as well as a grandfather. His tips for would-be dads: 1) When he/she is old enough, take your child to work so they can observe and adopt your work ethic. 2) Attend weekly church services with your spouse and children and teach them the importance of prayer. 3) Introduce your children to sports so they learn the importance of being a team member. 4) Take long walks with them and speak from the heart but also listen. 5) Sacrifice so your children can graduate from college and grad school debt-free. 6) Teach them about your family history. 7) If you think you've fallen in love, compare your girlfriend to your mother. If your new love is like your mom, then she may be a winner! 

John Waterfield, another Old Town resident, is retired from the Chicago Board Options Exchange. He's a father to Berit (23) and Scottie (21), husband, sports lover, and driver of a '97 Tahoe who always has dog biscuits in his pockets. His advice for fathers: 1) Love your kid's mother, at all times, be patient, considerate and humble. 2) Budget and live within your means. Period. "My kids have taught me unconditional love and I couldn't be more grateful," he said. "Besides achieving a "dad body," I also cry more but am a lot less self-centered."

Jim Smith is the Sr. Project Manager at American Hospital Association and is the father to three adult kids, Hayden James (31), Rebecca Suzanne (27) and Paige Katherine (25). His top tips for dads: 1) Hug and tell your kids you love them (like all the time), 2) Teach cause and effect, kids need to feel consequences of their actions. 3) Set boundaries and stick to them. Jim has learned, since becoming a dad, that you need to be happy and love your authentic self; that words and actions matter and that his kids feelings are real, even though they are often not how he is feeling. 

Peter C. Au is a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Financial Advisor. He is the dad to Cameron (9). His tips for future dads: 1) Read to your child every night when they're young. They will always remember it and, after a while, you will love it as much as they do. 2) Be patient and positive, things he and wife Cynthia learned from her mom who was Cameron's full time nanny for almost 3 years. 3) Be present and in the moment for your child as much as you can. Then you will have no regrets when they get older and move away. 4) Family first. No matter what. 5) Put the phone down and focus on the moment. 

Kadmiel Christmas is the owner of Adon Solutions, a multi-faceted home renovation and real estate development company, and the dad to two young children, Kai (7) and Ariese (3). He said the best advice his dad ever gave him was to surround himself with positive, like-minded people, a philosophy he will pass along to his children. He said, "These profound words have helped me eliminate toxic people in my life so that I can move forward in positivity. Being kind to others gives me a feeling of ultimate peace." 

Marc Brooks is a well-known man-about-town as the president/CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality, a Chicago-based hospitality company with airport and street-side operations in 15 cities across the U.S. Crain's listed them as one of the top minority-owned firms in the city. His biggest claim to fame though are his kids, Aliya (23), Carley (20) and Mila Rae (2). The best advice he's ever received was from his dad, "The measure of a man is how he treats someone when no one is watching." And his kids taught him that although he's a parent, he's not always right. 

Dr. Joaquin C. Brieva is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago. He is the proud father of 7 children, Jena (32), Claire (30), Gabriel (29), Nathan (27), Tess (26), Leah (22) and Cecilia (18). He became a father at age 30 and describes himself at a "dedicated husband, provider, a loving father, a protector and 'Mr. Fix It.'" He worked 4 jobs when the kids were little to make ends meet all the while completing post-graduate studies in medicine. His advice to would-be dads: 1) Obey the law of the land, 2) Get the best education possible 3) Remember that luck will only favor those who are well prepared and disciplined.

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