“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”

-Clarence Budington Kelland

As Father’s Day approaches, we take time to appreciate fathers and the crucial role they play in the development of children.

Fathers have a distinct parenting style that often differs from a mother’s style. Fathers are known for having an active style that involves stimulating, physical play. While children turn to mothers to care for their emotional needs, children often turn to fathers when they want to play.

Studies show that children with involved fathers tend to perform better academically and socially than those with less involved fathers. Not only are students with involved fathers more likely to earn good grades, but they also do better with handling frustrations that come their way. A child who has a good relationship with their father is more likely to be confident in social interactions and less likely to be depressed, get in trouble, or exhibit disorderly behavior.

Dads Are Irreplaceable

A few posts ago we celebrated single mothers, and we stand behind single moms and their ability to raise their children in a unique way. There is no single factor that can predict success in a child’s life, and children are able to overcome any obstacle. However, there is no doubting the benefits of an involved, caring father in a child’s life.

Matt, one of our clients, came into the clinic with his girlfriend Heather.  When they unexpectedly found out she was pregnant, Matt was scared. He didn’t think he was ready to be a father, and he still had a lot of things he wanted to do with his life.

However, Matt made the brave choice to stick with Heather, no matter what. Now, their son Brayden is 3 years old.  Brayden adores his dad, and wants to do everything Matt does. Brayden now has the matchless gift of an involved, loving father, and Matt has the privilege of raising a son.

Together let’s celebrate the irreplaceable contributions of fathers to the development of children.

Sources:
Rosenberg, J. & Wilcox, W. B. (2006). The importance of fathers in the healthy development of children. In Child abuse and neglect user manual series (chapter 2). Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/fatherhood.pdf#page=19&view=CHAPTER 2 Fathers and Their Impact on Children’s Well-being
Spetter, D. (n.d.). The role of fathers in childhood development. Retrieved from https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37945641
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