Anthony Levy’s Post

What did you get from your dad? It was father’s dad yesterday, which made me reflect on what I learnt from my father, and what I want to impart on my own two girls. My dad was a management accountant by trade, but he was also someone who often took the path less travelled.  At the age of 18, he rejected an offer to go to Oxford University to help open Barclays Bank in Jamaica. At different points in his career, he co-ran a metal machining company, he was a company secretary for a haircare brand, and was a business advisor to small businesses. My dad died when I was 19. I didn’t have the luxury of having him around in my adult years, but many things he taught me as a child held me in good stead later in life. No matter how difficult a situation, or a period in life, my dad was always kind. There was an exceptional calmness about him, no matter how challenging the moment. He taught me that developing resilience is key to finding a way forward. My dad has been gone almost 30 years, but his lessons and his attitude live on in me and I am doing my best to pass them down to my own children. My girls already have a head start in life. They live in a safe and stable country, have access to good education, and have two parents willing and able to be meaningfully involved in their life. For the most part, they are extremely privileged. But they are also just kids. Like all children their age, they fight with their siblings. They lash out and say things to people they love, even when they don’t mean it. They get frustrated when things don’t go their way and when mom and dad put down boundaries. This is normal kid stuff, but it’s also hard stuff and I worry about helping them navigate it. I also worry that the world tells little girls that they are most valued for how they look, and that managing self-worth in a world filled with selfies and social media is as challenging as it’s ever been. My hope is that I can pass on that sense calmness in the face of anything, that I can help them build the tools to be resilient (no matter how big or uncomfortable the challenge), and that above all, I can teach them the value of kindness. #fathersday #wisdom #parenting #legacy