Currently, there are about 66.3 million fathers in the United States. Of this total, 105.000 are "householders" who are dedicated to caring for their children while their wives go out to work.
In turn, 2 million children spend more time with their parents than with a baby sitter while their mothers are at work.
Here are some figures that show how times have changed. The time when mothers were the only ones who took care of children and spent all day baking cakes and cleaning up the house are gone. As women have inserted themselves in the labor market, household chores and child care issues have become shared responsibilities between both parents.
However, for some men, getting involved in raising children is a topic of great uncertainty. Especially when they come from a conservative family where the father never changed a diaper or washed the dishes!
10 Tips to Become a Better Dad
For your child to grow healthy and happy, it’s important for him/her to receive love and attention from both parents. Even though there isn’t one exclusive way of being a good father, here are some tips that might help:
1. Always respect the mother. This is one of the best things a father can do for his children. If you’re married, keep your marriage strong. If you’re divorced, remember she will always be your children’s mother. By respecting their mother, you’ll make your children feel secure. If not, you’ll be forcing them to take side, and this can bring negative consequences to your child’s life.
2. Spend more time with your children. This is the best way of showing them how much you care. If you’re always busy, they will inevitably feel abandoned.
3. Talk to your children. Often, children only hear the voice of their parents to be challenged. If you get used to talking with your child, it will be easier to maintain the habit once he/she grows.
4. Educate with love. All children need guidance and discipline, within reasonable limits. Reward their good behavior so they understand the importance of doing things correctly.
5. Be a role model. Parents are a reference for children, although they’re not always aware of this. If a girl spends time with a loving father, she’ll learn she deserves to be treated that way by boys. Teach your children the value of honesty, humility, and responsibility, so they assimilate them and make thempart of their lives.
6. Be a teacher. Teach your kids what is right and what is wrong. Encourage them to do their best. Give them security to make their own decisions.
7. Eat with your family. Sharing breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your family is key to promote family bonding, since this is a time you can use to talk and learn about each other.
8. Read to your kids. Promote the habit of reading since they’re little. This is especially important nowadays, when television dominates most homes.
9. Show them your affection. Children need to feel loved, accepted, and cared for in the family. Showing them your affection every day is the best way to let them know how much you love them.
10. A parent’s job is never finished, accept it. Even when children have grown and are ready to leave, they always come back to their parents seeking for advise and wisdom. A problem with school, a new job, or their wedding; parents always play an essential role in the lives of their children.
Ultimately what your child needs is not a perfect parent, but simply a father. Someone who will listen, care, and teach healthy habits: someone who loves him/her.
Source: “10 ways to be a better dad”, National Fatherhood Initiative
