As a dad you definitely matter and this is something you should be conscious of….

Findings summarized by Dr. Kyle D. Pruett in his book Fatherneed: Why Father Care Is As Essential As Mother Care for Your Child (2001, Broadway Books), gave the following benefits:

• Infants who have time alone with their dad show richer social and exploratory behavior than children not exposed to such experiences.
• One of the most critical roles that a dad plays in the life of his child is during the toddler years, age 1 ½ – 3 ½, is helping the child safely and securely separate from the intense maternal dependency of infancy.
• Fathers help children individuate – he is typically more willing to let a child out of his sight than mom will. A father will let the child crawl twice as far as mom will before retrieving the infant.
• Young people who have fathers actively participating in their lives are less likely to engage in criminal activities or abuse of drugs and alcohol.
• Father involvement is the strongest parent-related predictor in the development of empathy; it’s also associated with development of problem-solving behaviour and reduced sibling conflict and aggression
• Even when fathers do not live at home, children whose fathers are actively involved in their lives tend to have fewer behavioral problems.
• Kids with involved, responsive dads are much more successful academically, and have a higher likelihood of going to university.
• Involved dads reduce the parenting burden that more often falls on mothers.
• Children with two loving, involved parents benefit from the wealth of each parent’s life experiences, different styles, and approaches to dealing with life.

The article linked below expands on the effects of a dads involvement in the upbringing of his child and is well worth a read.

Maybe now you realize that Dads are more important than most people think.

Author: SuperDads

We’re here to make a difference. Superdads not only offers advice but we are her e to promote the importance of fatherhood. Many people are oblivious to the fact that Dads really do matter and this is something we’d like to put right.

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