The DadTalk blog features insights from dads and Responsible Fatherhood practitioners from around the country. Its goal is to start conversations about important issues surrounding fatherhood and programs for fathers today.
Today, father absence is among the most pervasive social problems challenging American families. An estimated 24 million children (34 percent) live absent their biological father and these youth are more likely to be poor, use drugs, and…
Summer is winding down, which normally is a time for parents when kids are wrapping up summer activities such as vacations, camps, and outings and preparing for the new school year. However, you and the kids have been home since March. You may be feeling overloaded because you have been trying to balance work, home life, childcare, and homeschooling--all while navigating the added stress and anxiety of this “new normal” and uncertain future. It’s understandable if you may be feeling a bit burned out, and don’t worry, you most certainly are not alone! In a…
My daughters, ages 6 and 3, love Frozen. No, seriously, they love, emulate, and want nothing more than to be the sisters Elsa and Anna from the Disney Frozen franchise.
I had no idea how alluring the magic of Frozen was. The first movie arrived in theaters in 2013, 6 months prior to my first daughter’s arrival. Suffice it to say, I didn’t see it--I thought I was an adult and had put away childish things. I remember hearing that Queen Elsa was the top kids costume for Halloween in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and I thought, What’s the big deal? It’s just a princess with the power to…
When thinking about play, a person may picture children having fun, using their imaginations, and passing time lightheartedly. While play is all of these things, it is also very important for a child’s development. In fact, play is so vital that it is recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child worldwide.
The act of play fosters a child’s development by providing opportunities to refine motor skills, solve problems, and take initiative while…
Growing up in the 80’s, I recall watching my Uncle Shorty, a retired, decorated WWII pilot, raise his two young grandchildren. My cousin had become a victim of the opioid crisis long before it ever made national news. One night, while trying to rescue my cousin from another drug induced stupor, my aunt was hit and killed crossing a busy highway chasing my cousin. In an instant my uncle became a single parent to two very young children in his 60’s. He did his very best to provide his grandkids a stable life. They were his life. He attended every school event, signed them up for…
One of the greatest regrets I’ve heard from parents is that they didn’t spend enough time with their children when they were younger. Or that when they are with their young children now, they’re too tired to do anything creative. Questions that dads have asked include: “I’ve forgotten how to ‘play’—is this bad for my kids?” “Do we have to be ‘on’ and fully engaged at all times while spending time with our children?” “What exactly should we do with them?”
Questions like these can make the reality of caring for our kids feel daunting and stressful, so I thought it might be…
I spend a lot of time each day looking at screens. I tell myself this is OK, much of the time is spent doing work, writing or responding to emails, reading books or newspapers online, and watching “quality tv” or “essential sports.” After all, I’m just keeping myself informed and entertained. If I’m honest though, I do worry about the amount of time I spend with these various screens. My guess is I’m not alone in this concern. And I’m sure many parents worry about what’s best for their children.
Luckily, although still relatively new, there is a growing body of research…
With the new year, what better time to celebrate new dads! Becoming a dad, whether by birth, marriage, or adoption, is a life altering experience that comes with no instruction manual. Ross Noble, an English stand-up comedian, stated in a recent article, “A baby to me is like buying a new gadget that doesn’t come with an instruction book. And then, even if you went online and found the instruction book, those instructions will change every single day. So just approach fatherhood like an amateur.” This is so…
The way that children begin to understand themselves and the world around them is mediated through play. The value of play is in the way that children learn to navigate their world. The benefits are far reaching. For example, self-regulation learned through play helps with social relationships, academics, and at work.
Despite the benefits, busy routines mean that time for play is at risk. Academic pressures in school contribute to reduced recess time. This shift is compounded by the prevalence of technology and the rise of indoor activities. According to a Brookings article by…
The season of dads and grads is upon us. It is a time when celebration and thoughts of warm summer nights are in the air. The spring air is activating our joy of transitioning seasons and the promise of what the future holds for graduating youth is challenging our inclination to resist change. For dads, having Father’s Day fall during this season is like having your birthday fall on Christmas. You’re excited, but everybody else is somewhat distracted by something else; in this case, the smell of barbeque.
The celebration of both Mother’s and Father’s Day seem appropriately timed…
On the surface: It’s the start of 2016, and on the outside, life in my world couldn’t look better. I’m surrounded by family and friends, working my dream job in my hometown, and my beautiful wife and I are expecting our first child come the spring. My wife is also a Pediatric Nurse – a.k.a. Peyton Manning when comes to caring for young children. Becoming a Dad is the natural next step, and I’ll be great at it.
Between my ears: OMG! My wife is pregnant, and I have no idea if I’m more excited or scared for my life. I don’t know the first thing about parenting and really question how…