James is a busy man with many professional and community responsibilities—and he’s a devoted father. Several years ago, James’ son Darren developed a burning passion for the game of basketball—and he had some skills.
Modeling: At the Pizza Buffet
When it comes to modeling character, the little things add up.
All Children Need Affirmation
Not long ago, I was backing the car out of the driveway, probably heading out to cross something off the honey-do list. My second daughter, Aaliyah, was sitting on the curb with one of her friends. So, I put the window down and kind of yelled out, “Okay, Aaliyah, love you baby.” It was nothing that unusual.
Show Your Love: 10-Second Hugs
How often do you hug your kids? And how long?
Will you be my daddy?
Dad, there’s a kid who has a question for you. Just ask Jim.
Two Essays from Fatherless Kids
Kids need dads, and we can always find proof in some of the essays written for our essay contest. In the midst of the all happy sentiments we receive, these essays are reminders that many kids out there don’t have a father in their lives. The essays they send—about the importance of fathers—bring a whole different set of emotions.
Encourage Other Dads
Rusty is a friend of ours who has a passion for helping prison inmates. He recognized the overwhelming trend of fatherlessness among inmate fathers and took simple action to try to help. Some time ago, he began printing off copies of our weekly fathering e-mails and mailing them to prisoners he knew, knowing that it would have a ripple effect since reading material is often passed from inmate to inmate until the paper falls apart.
Loving Your Kids: “You Just Don’t Get It”
Even though children benefit from a dad’s approach to parenting, many of us could stand to include more emotion and sensitivity.
Is my child ahead … or behind?
How well do you know your child's developmental needs? A study at the University of Rochester discovered that about one-third (31.2%) of parents of 9-month-olds are "clueless" about child development milestones, such as when babies talk, learn right from wrong, or can be potty trained. Some moms and dads have unrealistic expectations for their children’s physical, social or emotional growth, and become frustrated. Others underestimate those abilities and prevent them from learning on their own.
A Fathering Insight … from Your Dog?
A recent study among college students looked at their relationships with various significant others, including their dads … and their dogs.
What We All Can Learn from Stepdads
Do teen stepchildren behave worse, or are stepdads more critical and less encouraging of their stepchildren? Here are three suggestions …
The Mysterious Teenage Brain
Recent research highlighted in the Wall Street Journal sheds light on some reasons for the roller-coaster ride of adolescence–and it's all about the brain.
Categories
Welcome to the fathers.com fathering library.
On the left you will see how our blogs and articles are categorized. Choose your stage in the fathering journey under Your Kids, click on a specific situation that applies to you, or browse through the items in our hot topics and fathering fundamentals. Also, check out Tools for the Journey – short downloadable pieces with tips for specific challenges.
Teens and the “Terrible Toos”
by Randell Turner, Ph.D. We're all familiar with that phase in many toddlers' lives called the "Terrible Twos." It’s when their lifelong struggle for independence begins. The word "No" becomes their personal creed and the most frequent word used by parent and child...
It's All About Kids
by Chuck Slocum In this day and age, virtually every kid could use another friend. All of us must wake up a bit, attending to the tough circumstances in which too many kids are growing up. Being keenly alert to the essential importance of one-on-one relationships...
Dance the Day Away
by Ryan Zimmerman Being a dad of two little girls, I know that my negative emotions and stresses leak out and are absorbed by my two carefree little ones--no matter how hard I try to hide them. The last thing I want to do is pass on those daily annoyances to them and...
Interchangeable Parts, Irreplaceable Fathers
by Rich Wagner My brother-in-law Mark lost his job last week. Like any other weekday, he arrived at his office at 8:25 am, likely scanning his Blackberry on his walk across the parking lot to see what his busy schedule held for him. But instead of a day filled with...
5 Father’s Day Gifts for Your Children
by Dr. Foster Cline I’m 64. I’ve got grown kids and nearly grown grandkids. And if I could, I would change some things. I’d give my kids more important Father’s Day gifts, because it is always more fulfilling to give than to receive, and I would have given more....
Lasting Impressions: A Father’s Model
Occasionally we catch glimpses of our children imitating our behavior. It can be very cute, or it can be a staggering, frightening experience. A toddler tries to do push-ups on the living room floor, just like his dad. He grabs his plastic razor and strains to see the...
One on One with Your Child
James is a busy man with many professional and community responsibilities—and he’s a devoted father. Several years ago, James’ son Darren developed a burning passion for the game of basketball—and he had some skills. But as James watched his son, he could see that...
Modeling: At the Pizza Buffet
When it comes to modeling character, the little things add up. Bruce was treating his three kids and himself to an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet. From the outside, they couldn’t miss the buffet price painted in huge numbers and bright colors on the window. It also...
All Children Need Affirmation
by Amos Johnson III Not long ago, I was backing the car out of the driveway, probably heading out to cross something off the honey-do list. My second daughter, Aaliyah, was sitting on the curb with one of her friends. So, I put the window down and kind of yelled out,...
Show Your Love: 10-Second Hugs
by Dr. George Williams How do you hug your kids? And how long? Not long ago, I gained a new insight about how I show love to my children. My good friend Mike and I were working together, and my son Tim, who was 16 at the time, came into the office. Mike greeted Tim...
Will you be my daddy?
Dad, there’s a kid who has a question for you. Just ask Jim. Jim is a well-established anesthesiologist who went with a suburban church group to spend some time with inner-city children. He spent several hours playing catch, shooting baskets, and doing his best...
Two Essays from Fatherless Kids
Kids need dads, and we can always find proof in some of the essays written for our annual Father of the Year Essay Contest. In the midst of the all happy sentiments we receive, these essays are reminders that many kids out there don’t have a father in their lives. The...