Special Tips for Dad's
this Father's Day
FORT COLLINS,
CO—Father's Day is fast approaching. While it's a good time for reflection
and recognition, it's also an ideal time for that family member who often has
the most difficulty with relationships, to focus on doing right with those who
depend on him.
Often unappreciated,
fathers' play a role that impacts society in more ways than imagined.
Studies prove that
having a loving and nurturing father is as important for a child's happiness and
social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother.
Girls with actively
involved dads are more ambitious and successful in school. They are more likely
to attend college and less likely to have abusive partners.
Consider these
facts from Dads &
Daughters, a Duluth, MN based nonprofit organization:
- Withdrawal of
love by either the father or the mother was equally influential in predicting
a child's emotional instability, lack of self-esteem, depression, social withdrawal,
and level of aggression.
- In some studies,
father love was actually a better predictor than mother love for certain outcomes,
including delinquency and conduct problems, substance abuse, and overall mental
health and well being.
- Daughters are
likely to choose a life partner who acts like their dad and has his values.
- Girls without
fathers are almost 40 % more likely to abuse drugs.
- Nearly half of
all dads (47 %) are looking to spend more time with their teens, compared to 38
% of mothers who say they need more time.
- In a study of
2,500 children of divorce, twenty years after the divorce less than one-third
of boys and one-forth of girls reported having close relationships with their
fathers. In contrast, 70% of youths from the comparison group of intact families
reported feeling close to their fathers
Even when fathers
do not live at home, children whose fathers are actively involved in their lives
tend to have fewer behavioral problems.
"We
cannot overemphasize the importance of the dad and daughter relationship,"
says LeAnn Thieman, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Father and
Daughter Soul, HCI Books, May, 2005.
"There
truly is no greater role in life for which we are so poorly prepared."
Thieman offers
some words of wisdom for Dad's wanting to get the most out of their relationship
with their offspring:
- Listen to her.
Focus on what she thinks, believes, feels, dreams and does, not on how she looks.
- Tell her—often—that
you love her.
- Encourage her
strength and help her to develop them to help other people and herself.
- Respect her uniqueness.
Urge her to love her body and who she is and not what the media says.
- Get her physically
active. The most physically active girls have fathers who are active with them.
- Get involved
in her school. Volunteer, chaperone, read to her class.
- Get involved
in her activities. Drive, coach, play!
- Take her to work
with you. Show her what you do. She cares more than you think!
- Support positive
media for girls. Watch programs as a family that portrays smart, responsible girls.
- Learn from other
fathers. Connect with other strong fathers; read of experience, expertise and
encouragement to share.
Thieman challenges
dads. "No love can liken that of a daddy and his little girl. Spend time.
Make it a priority in your life. It betters not only the family, but society."
The Productivity Pro Home
June
2005 news"E"letter
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