Fatherhood Summit Session
A father’s role is integral to his children’s social, emotional, and economic well-being, but several barriers may prevent successful co-parenting. Some of the challenges include high-conflict environments, the effects of incarceration, issues of domestic violence and substance misuse, and children in foster care or relative placements. Even when parents face such challenges, positive co-parenting is possible and can provide important benefits for children.
This session provided an overview of the obstacles, interventions, strategies, and benefits for coparenting across a variety of…
This fact sheet lists inappropriate and appropriate responses to children who are behaving badly. Caregivers are urged to provide children with choices, validate the feelings of the child while stating the inappropriate nature of the behavior, communicate how the behavior is making the caregiver feel, and reaffirm their commitment to the child even when the child is making bad choices.
Many youth with disabilities have difficulty understanding social situations or navigating interpersonal events such as speaking in front of a class or doing job interviews. They may benefit from building and practicing social skills. These skills allow a person to interact appropriately with other people and handle difficult situations. It is important that youth have the opportunity to identify and practice these skills because they can significantly impact employment, relationships, and how well they are connected in the community as adults. Families, educators, and youth themselves can…
For a variety of reasons, many dads do not see their children on a regular basis. As a result, they often have to redefine their roles and responsibilities as a father. Incarcerated dads have extraordinary challenges to keeping track of their children's development and activities. Nevertheless, incarcerated dads across the country are improving the quality of their relationships with their children just by starting with a little inspiration, mixing in some imagination, and adding a lot of love. This Spotlight highlights several creative ways that incarcerated dads have used to stay connected…
This information sheet discusses how biological fathers can rebuild their relationship with their children. Fathers are urged to reach out to a mentor to help them become a loving father and engage in the following strategies: be involved with children as much as possible, show acceptance of children for who they are rather than only for what they do, demonstrate affection through loving words or appropriate touch, and be consistent in personal characteristics and fathering habits. Discussion questions are listed, as well as suggested actions, movies, and books.
This infosheet is intended to help professionals engage mothers to engage the fathers of theirchildren in healthy ways. It focuses on the active role professionals can take in talking with mothers about fathers and includes suggestions on the language we use to talk about fathers. The focus here on the mother's role in father involvement is not intended to diminish the father's responsibility to participate in the child's upbringing. Nor are we suggesting thatprofessionals limit attempts to engage fathersdirectly. Here, we are recognizing that professionals who work with mothers have a…
This information sheet discusses how biological fathers can rebuild their relationship with their children. Fathers are urged to reach out to a mentor to help them become a loving father and engage in the following strategies: be involved with children as much as possible, show acceptance of children for who they are rather than only for what they do, demonstrate affection through loving words or appropriate touch, and be consistent in personal characteristics and fathering habits. Discussion questions are listed, as well as suggested actions, movies, and books.
For a variety of reasons, many dads do not see their children on a regular basis. As a result, they often have to redefine their roles and responsibilities as a father. Incarcerated dads have extraordinary challenges to keeping track of their children's development and activities. Nevertheless, incarcerated dads across the country are improving the quality of their relationships with their children just by starting with a little inspiration, mixing in some imagination, and adding a lot of love. This Spotlight highlights several creative ways that incarcerated dads have used to stay connected…
Dating violence is a serious concern for today's teens and parents. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Center, about 20% of teens have experienced abuse in a dating relationship. Parents often under estimate their influence on teens when it comes to dating and sex. But parents play a vital role in helping teens recognize the red flags of an unhealthy relationship and ending an abusive relationship. When you talk frequently and openly with your teens, they are more likely to turn to you in a time of crisis. The following tips and strategies can help you open the lines of…
Eighty-two percent of 18 to 30 year olds expect to be married for life. Researchers have found that the building blocks of healthy adult marriages are formed during the teenage years. Parents may be nervous about talking to their teens about relationships or marriage, but they are a critical influence in their teen's life. When asked "Who influences you most when it comes to your dating relationships?" teens named their parents first (35 percent). Parents' values seem to be related to teen values and, subsequently, teen behaviors. Show your teen you care, listen respectfully to his or her…
