Being A Good Dad

More work, less hours in the day, business meetings, client negotiations, working on the house, the car, or in the garden, whatever the excuse, Dad’s are not spending enough time with their children. Quite often, the majority of the parenting role is left to the Mom’s.

My own partner often recounts the endless times his father spent at work, or the times he was not there for sporting activities, advice, or just to kick the footy with. And research has shown “that those with uninvolved Dad’s were twice as likely to abuse drugs later in life” ¹.
 
Spending time with children allows them to feel wanted and important. It encourages them to talk to you and promotes open communication, which is particularly important in times of stress (such as bullying at school, or stranger danger). It strengthens the family unit and it is a wonderful bonding tool.

A good Dad should:

• take the children on “Dad dates” to a venue of the choice, such as shopping for girls and to the footy for boys;
• make time for the children to listen to their day, read a book with them, or make a new toy, or piece of artwork;
• take the children with them to work, or in the car to work destinations, so that they can relate to where Dad spends most of his time;
• go on road trips and camping weekends;
• make diary appointments in the day to occasionally pick up the children from school, or attend a school event;
• telephone, or email the children from work either at dinner time, or just before bedtime;
• be home for dinner, even if you need to return to work after dinner time;
• be there for the children, especially through the teen years. Try to listen to them without using the “when I was your age ...” phrase, or give them advice, as often just listening enables them to come up with their own answers;
• let the children know you love them unconditionally;

And enjoy them as much as you can, because children don’t stay young for long.

© Copyright LP
¹. Dr Bruce Robinson: Focus on the Family: How to Drug Proof Your Kids