Fathering is an Important Job

Happy Fathers Day from Building Healthy Families and the folks at Baby Zone with this great article about the importance of Dads!

Good fathering is hard work, but the most important kind of work men can do. The consistent and frequent presence of a father makes a powerful difference in the development and socialization of a child.  Be prepared, Dad, because your stamina will be tested. Your child seems to have boundless energy—physically, intellectually, socially—and you'll be challenged to keep up. It's an important time for you to establish a healthy pattern of involvement in your child's life.  When you are involved with your son or daughter, you send a clear message to your child: I want to be your father. I am interested in you. I enjoy being with you. You and I have a relationship that is important to me.

Benefits of Dad Involvement

Children who grow up with fathers who stay involved in their lives enjoy all kinds of benefits:

• better school performance
• less trouble with the law
• better jobs and careers
• better relationships with others
• higher self-esteem

Being an involved father supports the development of your kids. Children become just as attached to their fathers as their mothers. Attachment provides a life-long relationship providing a secure base in the world.

Dads and Play

Fathers play differently with children, using more physical and vigorous play activities. Fathers use more physical contact and spend a larger proportion of time playing (40 percent vs. 25 percent for mothers).  Mothers almost automatically join at the child's level of play, often allowing the child to direct the play activity. In contrast, fathers are more likely to position themselves as the leader. Fathers encourage teamwork and stimulate children to experiment with new games, to learn new skills, to compete, and to push the limits of their knowledge and abilities. Children need both types of play interaction: a chance to direct and the opportunity to be challenged.

So Happy Father's Day to all those amazing fathers out there...and remember just how important you are in the life of your child!