Both your spouse and your children demand your attention. The responsibilities to each one differs.
According to Biblical standard… “ a man shall leave his father and his mother; and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24. Together, a married man and woman create one unit. Since they are considered one flesh, the responsibility to one’s spouse comes first.
They start a family and take care of their children. Psalm 127:3-5 reads, “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate”.
A man should “love his wife” and a woman should “respect and love her husband”.
“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband”.1 Peter 3:7
A man is called upon to provide his family with food, shelter and is responsible for meeting their basic needs. “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”. 1Timothy 5:8
A woman is also contributing to the family in her role to bear children, “He [God] settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 113:9. She works towards nourishing her family which often includes basic tasks as preparing meals, taking care of children, cleaning etc. See Proverbs 31:10-31
Many times a man shares the daily chores as he understands the difficulties, concerns and wishes of his wife. There are times when one of the family members has greater need and requires a greater attention. A wise man discerns the need and is eager to help. Note that the father of Prodigal son rushes to meet a repentant child (Luke 15:11-32).
A father is responsible before God for the spiritual welfare of the whole family. He is to teach their children to love God supremely, “Impress them [God’s commands] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”. Deuteronomy 6:7
He is to exemplify and apply Gods principles of love, kindness, wisdom and generosity in family leadership. Titus 2:5 He is responsible for acquainting his children with God’s truths of the Bible. He is also responsible for disciple and correction. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
