CHRIS DEHRING, CHAIRMAN LIME & 17-month-old daughter Shiloh

I enjoy being a father. It is a little scary at times, but it’s definitely very enjoyable more often than not. Somehow all the troubles of the world seem to disappear because of the little joys they give me. And it doesn’t matter if it’s just a phone call from my 19-year-old son Zachary, even if it’s just asking for money or being greeted with a big smile by Shiloh, my 17-month-old daughter. It always feels good.

My kids give me a better sense of what I want as a priority in my life. They keep me grounded, because as you know, no matter how cool you think you are, your kids always bring you back to reality. The responsibility I have to take care of them pushes me to balance work with family, which can often be in conflict.

Some of the life lessons I would pass on to my children is that life is a constant challenge, and the ups and downs you will experience will build character. And the best way to face those challenges is to back yourself. I would also like them to know that it’s okay to enjoy life and be open to change.

I try and stay involved in my children’s lives, but it’s important that I give them room to grow and learn. They know I’m always there for them. With my older son, I am becoming more of a trusted friend rather than strictly just a parent. With my baby girl, I’m the usual doting dad, wanting to teach and show her everything.

I want so much for my children but most of all I just want them to be healthy and happy, to see themselves always in a positive light and be able to enjoy life to the fullest. I want them to find good friends and build good memories. I want them to be educated and successful at whatever they choose to do. I want them to grow to be grounded, good and decent Jamaicans.

There is always a sense of wonderment and amazement watching them grow up. One minute they are lifeless, gelatinous, almost lizard-like creatures. The next they are stealing your shoes, breaking stuff around the house, and teasing you about how you dress. Life is really quite amazing like that.

Unfortunately I’ll be in London for Father’s Day…hazards of the job. But I look forward to chatting with both my kids.

STEPHEN PRICE – HEAD OF RETAIL LIME – Two-year-old son Aidan & four month-old daughter Marley

It’s the most amazing feeling to totally & selflessly love and raise your child and watch their development from the moment they are born, through every single change. It’s just like truly witnessing a miracle right in front of your eyes.

My priorities have changed dramatically since having children. I’m still career-driven, but I care about nothing else but my family’s well-being. I have become the most protective “Papa Bear” ever. I worry at times that I’ll shield them from some typical childhood experiences.

I really want my children to grow up knowing, firstly, that love of family is important as it will always keep you grounded. Secondly, follow your dreams. If you love art and that’s the thing that you know will make you happy…pursue your dream to become an artist, and lastly, nothing comes easy. Be prepared to work as hard as possible if you want it as badly.

I am very involved in the lives of my children. My day begins with my children and it ends with my children. I enjoy spending time with them and will do pick-ups & drop-offs on a regular basis and have become a feature of their nursery. And I love to see my son developing with his peers. He’s almost become the quintessential area leader (in a good way) of the nursery.

I wish that my children will grow up in a country that their parents would have tried their best to fix. I worry for their generation, as the generations past and present are culpable for the Jamaica we currently live in. I hope one day, they will be agents of change and will make a difference in their island home.

I am an unapologetic father. When I see my children, my world is fine. Along with my wife, they are my equilibrium and I love them unconditionally. When your son looks in your eyes with innocence and says, “I love you, Daddy!” or your daughter just looks up at you and starts smiling, your heart just melts.

I have no plans at all for Father’s Day. All I need is my daughter in my arms and my son snuggled up next to me, and that will be my Father’s Day.

GARRY SINCLAIR, MANAGING DIRECTOR LIME – 13 year-old son Qtano

It feels great to be a father, it gives you a reason for being, validates/justifies all the hard work and commitment to career and achievement, not just to provide material support, but solid examples to follow for your kids.

Having children has made me less selfish and more thoughtful about whatever I want to do.

One of the main things I would hope my children learn is to be patient, there is no need to rush ANYTHING; nothing is ever as bad as it initially seems; never stop dreaming, because this creates your eventual reality.

I am as involved as I can be in their lives and as much as they let me be on the school side; not an active PTA person and this is a definite shortcoming of mine; definitely all over the extra-curricular activities, though.

I want my children to have solid characters, some integrity would be good and that they eventually manage to live their dreams, those are my wishes for my children.

When I look at my children I get a sense of family pride.

For Father’s Day I am hoping to get some sleep.

ED GABBIDON, VP Corporate and SME Sales LIME – Adrianna 16 and David 14

It’s a wonderful feeling being a father. One of the things you experience as a parent is unconditional love for your children, and I think it is one of the things that everyone should experience. It is a lovely feeling.

Having children makes you more responsible. You know that you have someone to look after, to feed. You’re focused on providing for them and giving them some of the things that you probably never had as a child.

Life lessons are extremely important. It’s amazing! The same things that your parents teach you are the same things that you try to pass on to your children, that is to be honest, hardworking, fair, to treat others with respect and to trust in God. Just the basic things in life that help to mould and make you into a better person.

I try to spend as much time with my children. Most mornings I make breakfast and take them to school. It’s something that I share with my wife. I like doing it, it gives me time with the children and I am able to have a convo with them.

Any parent wants to see their child successful at what they do in life. You guide them so that they don’t make any mistakes or the ones you’ve made. You want them to be happy, to be successful, and you want them to live a comfortable life, one that is better than yours so they’re in a position to offer their children more than you’re able to offer to them.

When I look at my children, all I feel is unconditional love. There is just nothing that compares to a child’s love and what you have for that child. It’s just love, you just really love your children.

I’m planning to stay home on Father’s Day, its family time and we’ll do things together.