Celebrate Dad…he is very important!

Raising kids with LOVE ♦ June 15, 2019 ♦ Leave a comment

  Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads who make such a difference in their kids’ lives!!

Celebrate Dad this weekend…and celebrate BIG!  Dads have such an important role in families, and often we don’t recognize the importance.  Research tells us that both sons and daughters are better adjusted, more successful in school, build better relationships, and are more productive adults when Dad is involved in their lives throughout their childhood.  Male role models are essential to both girls and boys and as a society we need to encourage and support good fathering.

I don’t have to read any study to know this truth, I see this truth in my own life and in the lives of the young families I work with.  My own Dad has given me many gifts, but the greatest is the example of what a loving, strong, sensitive, supportive man and father looks like.  Because of his example, I married a loving, strong, sensitive, supportive man who is a wonderful father to our children.  Children, both boys and girls, NEED Dads to set this example of  real manhood in their lives.   Dads influence their daughters’ choice of their future mates and they influence the inner character development of their sons.

Dads are different from Moms, not better, but different.   A Dad’s parenting complements a Mom’s and children thrive with both styles of parenting. The easiest way to see the difference is to watch the reaction a child has when an involved Dad begins to play.  Dad’s play is usually more active, less controlled, often involves a challenge and problem solving and usually results in an increase in laughter and squeals.  (This often resulted in a later bedtime in our house!) Moms’ play is usually more measured and planned. Different play resulting in different accomplishments.

Over the last several decades, there has been an increase in the amount of involvement fathers have in parenting their children.  This is a very good change for our children.  Too often we as a society do not offer enough support to our Dads. New Moms often act as “gatekeepers” and prevent Dads from fully participating in the care of their newborn which can result in a Dad who is not confident in his role. Television shows often depict Dads as clueless in their role as a parent, and as a society we often offer more support groups, books, and events for the empowerment of Moms leaving out Dads. If we truly want to give our children the best start in life, we need to be sure that Dads and male role models for our children are supported, encouraged, and given the time they need to interact on their own with our children.  Yes, Dads are very important.

So, stop for a moment and thank all the Dads in your life; make sure they know how important they are in your life and your child’s life.   Go make that newspaper crown, fix his favorite meal, let him put his feet up and let Dad be “King for the Day”….he deserves at LEAST that!  Happy Father’s Day to all those strong men who embrace fatherhood with love, this includes my own Dad and my wonderful husband!

Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.

Cindy