Brief
A growing body of research suggests that men's pregnancy intentions (i.e., how men feel about apregnancy) and prenatal behaviors (i.e., how men act during the pregnancy) may have implications forfathers' later involvement with their children. For example, men who exhibit positive feelings about thepregnancies of their partners and who become involved -- such as attending childbirth classes and being present at the child's birth -- are more likely to show positive postbirth fathering behaviors. These findings are consistent with prior research demonstrating that having an unintended pregnancy…
Brief
A list of five psychological and cultural barriers that fathers face on the way to full engagement in their daughter's life. Men must understand these hurdles to be effective fathers and stepfathers -- or to work effectively with fathers and families. These hurdles may seem unnecessary, silly, or insignificant to others. But they are not silly, unnecessary, or insignificant to fathers. (Author abstract).
Brief
Both father and daughter need to change some of their attitudes and behavior in order to create a more adult relationship with one another during her college-age years. Unfortunately what usually happens is that one person is readier to change than the other. Either dad is treating his daughter too much like a little girl while she is striving and wanting to become an adult. Or dad is treating her like an adult while she is still behaving and wanting to be treated like a child. Your mutual struggle as father and daughter to create an adult to adult relationship usually reaches it peak over…
Brief
If you're a divorced father who has remarried, odds are your relationship with your daughter has become more complicated, more stressful, and more distant. Sadly for the majority of fathers and daughters, when dad remarries: The father-daughter relationship is more damaged than the father-son relationship; tensions between mom and dad's wife create problems in the father-daughter relationship; the mom who was not employed during her marriage tends to be the most jealous and most uncooperative when dad remarries; college educated, white mothers tend to be less willing than non-white, less…
Brief
Parents agree that open parent/child communication is invaluable when raising children. Yet, when kids sit down and talk to parents about tough issues like violence, sex, alcohol/drugs, and HIV/AIDS, they are more often sitting with mom than with dad. This may have more to do with fathers missing conversation opportunities or avoiding certain topics than with a lack of connection between dads and their kids. (Author abstract)
Other
This on-line survey will help you assess the degree to which your business' operations include helping fathers find a successful balance between the demands of their jobs and the commitments to their families.
Other
Father involvement is critical for your Parents as Teachers program in many ways. First, both fathers and mothers bring unique skills to the parenting process and, collectively, enhance the development of their children. Second, by helping dads become more involved, responsible, and committed, they will be more likely to get involved in your program's personal visits, screenings, and group meetings thus providing greater support for their child's development. This tool will help you assess the degree to which your organization's operations encourage father involvement in the activities…
Brief
Stepfathering can be challenging. Perhaps that's why many stepfathers disconnect from their stepchildren emotionally and withdraw from daily responsibilities. The unmapped territory seems to have many land mines and it's easier to just retreat than to engage the "enemy." But stepfathers can have profound and important leadership roles with stepchildren. Stepfathers can offer guidance, love, and encouragement to the children under their care. Here's a map for the territory and some practical action points for stepfathers. (Author abstract)
Brief
For many younger children, the language of their world is play. When fathers don't speak that language, but instead try to relate in an adult way, kids can't understand or relate, and may experience feelings of frustration, isolation, or ignorance. Sometimes fathers feel the lack of connection, too. But we can prevent it-and strengthen the bonds with our children-by learning their language of play. (Author abstract)
Brief
You're overjoyed to be a father, and that's putting it mildly. So why are you also feeling emotionally spent - After all that buildup, all the planning and spending and drama, your child has been born?and you feel not only run-down (that's the sleep deprivation) but also a tiny bit letdown. Welcome to the Postpartum Dads Club, when you suddenly realize why the word postpartum is so often followed by depression. Not everyone experiences the so-called baby blues, but expect a profusion of emotions that can last from a few weeks to a year - in both of you (fortunately usually only one of you…
