Lights, camera, action became reality last month when the TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer chose to spend a day with the NRFC team in an actual home searching for ideal hiding spots—behind a curtain, in a kitchen cabinet, and within a pile of stuffed animals. Why? As the father of three children, Lauer chose to support the issue of fatherhood involvement in an original Public Service Announcement, in collaboration with the Ad Council and Detroit-based ad agency Campbell Ewald. He conveys his energy and enthusiasm, and reminds us that being a parent can be fun. In fact, it reminded me of the many times growing up without social media−imagination was everything. How else could you find the one place in a Brooklyn one bedroom that nobody could find you? And, in our technology-driven world it sometimes helps to share some “old school” play options with dads of all ages.
We know that loving and nurturing fathers improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors including drug use, truancy, and criminal activity.
At the end of the day, Lauer reminds all of us that even the busiest fathers can take a few minutes each day to interact with their children in a meaningful way. Whether its hide-and-seek, coloring, or catching a ball, it’s all about sharing time together.
That night, I went home and re-thought the best hiding spots in my house so that I have my game plan ready for the weekend! I encourage you all to do the same.
Kenneth Braswell, Director, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.
It’s a great time to be a dad.
Being a dad is so important today because it’s an opportunity to empower the next generation of men and women to conquer whatever challenges may face them. It’s an opportunity to help shape their future.
When fathers aren’t a part of their lives, kids are more likely to get involved in harmful and destructive activities like drug use and crime. On the other hand, giving children the paternal support they need helps them grow into confident, capable and healthy men and women.
All children deserve solid father figures in their lives, but far too many don’t have them. President Obama, whose own father was absent for much of his childhood, understands that. That’s why he created the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to celebrate fatherhood and create meaningful opportunities for fathers and children – and adult mentors and young mentees – to connect.
Children aren’t the only ones who reap the benefits of these relationships; fatherhood is one of the most inspiring things in life. Watching my daughters grow into responsible, driven and happy women has been an indescribable joy.
It has also been great to share my passion for the environment with them. From their earliest days, we enjoyed the “great outdoors” whenever we had a chance – and we still do. But I also showed them the importance of protecting the natural resources that surround us by doing things like recycling and cutting back on energy use. These are things that are still a part of their lives today.
June is America’s Great Outdoors Month, and finding creative ways to enjoy the open, outdoor spaces and keep them healthy and vibrant can be a great opportunity to bond with your son, daughter or mentee – and improve your community at the same time. Check out the outdoor activities aimed at protecting the environment on EPA’s website for some ideas. We would love to hear about some of your outdoor dad experiences this summer, so please share your stories by emailing us at partnerships@epa.gov or tweeting, @EPAgov using #outdoordad.
However you choose to spend your time, I encourage you to continue making fatherhood or mentoring a priority in your life. Take the President’s Fatherhood Pledge, and do your part to help shape the next generation of happy, healthy Americans.
Bob Perciasepe is Deputy Administrator at the US Environmental Protection Agency
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En respuesta al llamado del presidente Obama para una conversación nacional sobre la paternidad responsable y las familias saludables, aprender cómo usted puede unirse a la Iniciativa Presidencial de Padres y Mentores.