what great dads do | march 2018

Great dads are involved in daily life of their children.

Research has proven what we have always known. Dads play a crucial role in a child’s development during the preschool years and beyond. Children with involved fathers have a social and academic advantage over children with distant or disengaged fathers. They are more likely to have better language skills and less behavioral problems. Interestingly, this result holds true even if the father doesn't live in the same home as the child -- for example, in divorce situations. It appears that how involved the dad is -- not where he lives in relation to the child -- is the crucial factor.

Great dads play with their children.

Dads tend to play differently than moms - and this is good thing. Fathers tickle more, they wrestle, and they throw their children in the air (while mother says . . . "Not so high!"). Fathers chase their children, sometimes as playful, scary "monsters."

Fathering expert John Snarey explains that children who roughhouse with their fathers learn that biting, kicking, and other forms of over aggressive behavior is not acceptable. They learning self-control by being told when “enough is enough.” Girls and boys both learn a healthy balance between timidity  and aggression.

Great dads lovingly discipline their children.

Educational psychologist Carol Gilligan tells us that fathers stress justice, fairness and duty (based on rules), while mothers stress sympathy, care and help (based on relationships). Fathers tend to observe and enforce rules systematically and sternly, teaching children the consequences of right and wrong. Mothers tend toward grace and sympathy, providing a sense of hopefulness. Again, either of these disciplinary approaches by themselves is not good, but together, they create a healthy, proper balance.

Here’s more about how to discipline with love: Why Kids Need Boundaries

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13