Teens are becoming more independent, but they still need their parents' love, support, and guidance. This tip sheet helps parents understand typical teen behavior. It offers suggestions for how parents can use simple, everyday activities to reinforce their connection with their teens and show they care.
Whether you take to the field (or local park, back yard, or driveway) or just huddle on the sofa in front of the TV, sharing the fun of football game day is a great way to spend time with your children. From tots to teens, kids will benefit from being part of a family team whose quarterback is an active, interested, and supportive dad. If your goal is to build or strengthen a healthy, positive relationship with your children, enjoying football can give you a common turf and opportunities for interaction and simply being together.Don't be sidelined by not knowing football's fundamentals. This…
This factsheet explores the relationship between social support and father involvement. It reviews findings from research studies that indicate fathers who report having high levels of social support experience better psychological well-being and demonstrate more positive patterns of father involvement and coparenting. Studies suggest spousal/partner support is positively associated with fathers' well-being; high levels of program support are associated with higher reports of fathers' parenting skills; fathers who report high levels of tangible or instrumental support report better well-…
This factsheet explores the relationship between men's pregnancy intentions with the quantity and quality of fathers' later involvement with their children and partners, and for child well-being. Research is cited that indicates men who report that a partner's pregnancy was unintended are likely to exhibit lower levels and poorer quality of involvement with their children following birth. In addition, men's pregnancy intentions are associated with the quality of the father-mother relationship and with children's cognitive and socioemotional well-being. Studies suggest: men whose…
This factsheet explores the impact of stepfather involvement on child well-being. Research is cited that indicates although stepfathers are generally less involved with children than are biological fathers, they can have positive impacts on child and maternal outcomes. Studies suggest: stepfathers are generally less involved with children than are resident biological fathers; stepfathers typically show low levels of positive demeanor toward children and are less likely to express positive feelings toward or be supportive of children; stepfathers are perceived as being less successful at…
Whether you share a home with your children or see them only occasionally, both you and your kids benefit when you are actively involved in their lives. Don't wait for your children to ask you to read them a story, play a game, or go for a hike--take the lead. Being enthusiastic about spending time with your children can energize your relationship with them and put in motion a stronger connection. (Author abstract)
Colds and flu can bring a halt to wintertime activities with your children. This tip sheet offers dads several simple steps they can take to help keep the family fun going all winter long. (Author abstract modified)
Break the routine of daily or regular household tasks. Turn ordinary chores into an extraordinary chance to spend time and have fun with your children in an environmentally friendly way. Must-do, humdrum chores can take on new importance when they become opportunities for you to teach your kids responsibility at home and for the environment. (Author abstract)
Designed for marriage practitioners, this brief explains the importance of commitment in marriage. Strategies that can be shared with couples to enhance their commitment are listed and include: create a commitment statement, greet each other personally and physically each day, talk and stay connected about hopes, dreams, and stresses, spend both quality and quantity time together, be best friends with your spouse, recognize that memories and traditions expand commitment, share spiritual or religious activities together, value doing small acts of kindness for your spouse, and make intimacy a…
Designed for marriage practitioners, this brief explains the importance of trust in relationships and offers strategies for teaching the value of trust to couples. The keys to trust are explained and include investing time in each other, reliability, understanding, sacrifice, and thankfulness.
