Day 46 - Dads are Different Than Moms

It’s a good thing that dads are different than moms—kids need them to be! In many families, moms might send a message that they know the “right” ways to do things with the children and may have taken over most of their care. But children need fathers’ styles, too, so be sure to carve out plenty of time with your offspring.All children need to learn from their dads—about the world, how language works, how dad interacts with others, and how he accomplishes things.

Dads can build on their interests, skills, and personalities to help their children grow and learn. Here are some ideas of how to capitalize on your strengths. If you are:

• Physically active and love to roughhouse — do this everyday. Physical activity gets kids mentally and physically primed for learning. Follow physical activity with calmer activities such as building something, reading or “talking” a book together, or playing a game.
• The analytical type — use your thinking and planning skills to make your child racecars and spaceships from boxes for pretend play, create a daily “schedule” for your child to build reassuring routines. Schedule in plenty of free play and interactive play with a parent. Carefully plan any TV or movie watching so you can see how much of that passive activity is in your child’s daily experience, and replace watching that exceeds an hour a day with more productive activities. Plan to have the TV off more than it is now.
• Technically‐minded — take lots of digital photos of your child during family activities, print the best, and make a storybook for each place you have gone together. Print or type some appropriate sentence descriptions under each picture, according to your child’s language level. Sit down with your child and review at least one of your custom books every day. You could also set up a great slideshow for your child with one of the digital picture frames on the market. This could be especially helpful to the youngster who doesn’t have a very large vocabulary yet. Take pictures of common or favorite items in his life.
• Musically inclined — have “jam” sessions with your child and put on a concert for the rest of the family. Make posters and props for your shows.
  Dramatic or funny — make plays together or practice stand‐up comedy or magic tricks. Get a kid‐friendly microphone. Videotape these great shows. To boost language development, make lots of straightforward comments to your child, and resist the urge to ask a lot of questions. You are your son or daughter’s best male mentor. Make the most of your child’s early years—share your talents.
  

By Mary Lou B. Johnson, M.S.,CCC-SLPThis article has been sent to GreatDad by Mary Lou B. Johnson , Speech-Language Pathologist and creator of www.HelpYourChildSpeak.com

Day 45 - How to Be a Good Dad.

How to Be a Good Dad.

Posted using ShareThis

Day 42 - Why Everyone Needs to be concerned about Father Absence

Involved, Responsible, and Committed Fathers: Critical to our Nation's Success

Why should policymakers care about responsible fatherhood?

The federal government spends $100 billion every year to support father-absent homes.In June 2008, National Fatherhood Initiative released The One Hundred Billion Dollar Man, a ground-breaking study that showed that the federal government spends $100 billion each year supporting father-absent homes. And that's a conservative estimate - the study did not measure impact for related costs such as the criminal justice system, which is overwhelmed by men who grew up in father-absent homes.

The most challenging social problems of our time are connected to father absence.If you want to address poverty, child abuse, crime/recidivism, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, or education, then restoring fatherhood is an integral part of the solution. Father absence is not a single issue, and its social and economic consequences are felt across society.

Father absence has a direct impact on the well-being of millions of children. 25 million children, 1 out of 3, grow up in homes in which their biological fathers do not live. In the African-American community, the rate is 2 out of 3. These children are significantly more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school, engage in risky behaviors…all issues the government grapples with every day.

Day 41 - The Importance of Good Partnerships

The National Fatherhood Initiative maintains a database of links related to fatherhood issues (links will be opened in a new window). A listing in our database does not necessarily mean an endorsement; the National Fatherhood Initiative is not responsible for the content of these sites.If you know of a site that should be listed here, please contact us and let us know.

Category: general
AAA Parent Coaching Services AAA Parent Coaching Services exists to help all parents be the parents they want to be every day.http://www.aaaparentcoach.com

At-risk.org At-Risk.org has been compiled as a resource for parents and the general public in search of information about at-risk youth. This site will present you with information and articles about helping at-risk youth. The Works Cited page of this site will reference any at-risk youth resources that were used to compile the content for this site.http://www.at-risk.org

Heart Touch, Inc. Heart Touch, Inc., is a non-profit organization that provides remedial training services for fathers to help the become more responsible.http://www.hearttouchinc.org

I miss you, Daddy"A touching tribute to Daddies overseas from the little ones left behind. It identifies what our children feel, but cannot express."http://www.imissyoudaddy.com

Little Pen Pal A service that encourages reading, stimulates children's fantasies, and teaches them about other cultures and languages. Contains a gallery of exciting, fictional characters that send out real paper letters every week about their adventures.http://littlepenpal.com

Michigan Family Support Council The Michigan Family Support Council is a non-profit organization that was established in 1982 and consists of members who work in child support and understand Michigan's needs for professional development training, and the importance of program involvement to support Michigan families.http://www.mifsc.org/default.htm

Minnesota Fathers & Families Network The Minnesota Fathers & Families Network offers a comprehensive website for Minnesota-based professionals interested in working with fathers. The site includes resource documents, a calendar for professionals, news updates, and a database of over 100 direct service programs for fathers across Minnesota.http://www.mnfathers.org

Netlinks Searchable Database Netlinks is a database of over 1,000 Internet resources (compiled and maintained by the Media/Materials Clearinghouse) useful to people working in health, population, and international development. Because these are interdisciplinary fields that include public health, health education, demography, environment, communication, public policy and others, links are made to a wide variety of organizations and government agencies. Each entry includes, in addition to a link to the resource, a brief description, a link to the E-mail address, the street address, phone number, and fax number when available.http://www.jhuccp.org/netlinks/

Radio Dad This is the web home of the "Radio Dad"! "Radio Dad with Mike Austin" is heard on radio stations nationwide, Monday - Friday. This daily, one minute feature offers tips, ideas, expert interviews and stories about positive fatherhood and grandfatherhood.http://www.radiodad.com

Rural Fathers RuralFathers.com is a website dedicated to help professionals work with fathers and young children living in rural America through staff training, father child development activities, father child group activities, male involvement meetings, an online bulliten board and other multimedia links.http://www.ruralfathers.com/

Sloan Work and Family Research Network The Sloan Work and Family Research Network is designed to support research and teaching, promote best practices at the workplace, and inform state policy on issues that affect the lives of working families and the places where they work.http://wfnetwork.bc.edu

The Alternative Educators' Network A web site for presenting alternative education issues to parents.http://www.AltEdNet.org

Today's Child Magazine This preeminent national parenting magazine is dedicated to black and other parents of color raising children from infancy through their teen years. Backed by the experts and inspired by parents and caregivers - Today's Child Magazine delivers accurate and up-to-date information on parenting, child health and development, education, lifestyle and relationship issues.http://www.todays-child.com

Day 40 - The Importance of Moms

JUST RELEASED: National Fatherhood Initiative has developed a series of curriculum modules to enhance 24/7 Dad™, Doctor Dad™, InsideOut Dad™, and any other fatherhood program your organization may be facilitating. These modules address a variety of issues that may be barriers to a father's involvement.

Curriculum Modules Include:
Mom As Gateway: Break down barriers between momsand dads with this helpful module!

This module was designed with moms in mind. This is a great program designed to help moms know how to encourage their husbands to be better dads!

More info

Day 39 - Knock Knock

Day 38 - Dads and Moms Need to Work Together

I wrote this article for the Sept. issue of the Fatherhood Today newsletter. Think about if you are partering with your spouse to help create balance in your life.


How Dads Help Moms Balance Work and Family

The September 3, 2007 issue of US News and World Report ran a lead article entitled, “The New Mommy Track.” The most interesting aspect of this article was the observation that the help and support of her husband is instrumental in determining how successful a working mother will be in balancing work and family.

National Fatherhood Initiative has been saying this for years. Below are just a few
simple ways how dads help moms balance work and family.

• Take Advantage of Family-Friendly Programs: More and more companies are becoming
  keenly aware that dads want and need more time at home. However, while many
  companies provide work-family solutions for both men and women, the challenge is to get
  men as involved as women in the programs being offered. A survey released in June
  2004 by Catalyst, a New York based research and advisory group that focuses on women's issues, found that more women than men (44% versus 36%) take advantage of flexible work schedules. The survey also found that women are more likely than men to telecommute, take leave or a sabbatical, or change their work schedules informally. One step a dad can take to help the mother of his children is to decide to be involved in the work/family programs that his company provides that will benefit his entire family.
• Learn Parenting Skills: If a father is committed to help his wife succeed in balancing work and family, then he must be committed to learn the basics of parenting. Additionally, kids benefit from having involved dads. On average, children of involved fathers perform better on almost every measure of physical, social, and cognitive development compared to children of uninvolved fathers. Dads need to learn the basic skills on how to be
  involved, responsible, and committed fathers who provide, nurture, and guide their children.
• Help Out Around the House: For moms to be more successful in the marketplace, men will need to help take care of more responsibilities in the home. A recent article in the New York Times entitled, “Wedded to Work, and in Dire Need of a Wife,” pointed out that the one thing that most working mothers want today is a “wife” - someone to help manage the kids and the housework. The article communicates that many working mothers simply cannot advance in their careers because of their responsibilities at home. According to 2006 survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five men engage in some kind of housework on an average day, while more than half of women do. If fathers begin to take up a full share of the responsibilities at home, the burden on working moms will be alleviated.
• Reset Expectations: Both moms and dads are pulled in many directions. Today, we are faced with what is called the “New Business Reality.” The new business reality expects employees and companies to do more, do it better and quicker, but with fewer resources. One new way to do business is by realigning expectations at home through a work-family balance plan. An effective work-family balance plan should include discovering the programs, policies, and possibilities that your employers provide for work-family balance and discussing what each member of the family can do to alleviate pressure points between work and family. You can download a free plan from our website at: https://www.fatherhood.org/doclibrary/business/WorkFamilyBalancePlan.pdf
  

Dads truly do help moms to balance work and family. These are just a few simple ways that
both parents can work together to help create success in the workplace and solution at
home.

Day 37 - CATCH!

This is NFI's first PSA - the message is powerful and speaks to us all....

Day 36 - Tiger Woods and a Father that changes the World

Think about how you are changing the world through your kids....

Day 35 - Small Moments Means Sacrifice

This PSA speaks directly to the fact that dads are committed to their children.

Day 34 - My Birthday and My newest Son

Day 33 - Small Moments Means Time

Time is how kids spell love!

Day 32 - Small Moments to have Fun!

Being a Dad can be fun!

Day 31 - The Fatherhood Means Challenge

I thought you would enjoy this video about the fatherhood means challenge - Share you idea with NFI and also share these with your kids...

Day 30 - Small Moments by Taking Time to be a Dad

It Takes a Man to Be a Dad!

Day 29 - Small Moments Create Memories

This is one of my favorites...enjoy!

Day 28 - Small Moments Make a Difference

Take a moment and spend it with your kids today!

Day 27 - Small Moments Is All You Need

Take a look at this PSA - when the last time you made your children laugh?

Day 26: Getting Involved - The Story Behind No If's

The inspiration behind "No Ifs"

Financial troubles. A broken relationship. Past family struggles. Peter had a long string of excuses for being an uninvolved father. But he didn't hide behind any of them. Peter stepped up to the challenge and stayed involved and active in his son's life, despite several difficult trials. He hopes his story will inspire other fathers to abandon their excuses - not their relationships with their children.The product of a broken home, Pete was determined to give his son the love and attention he needed and deserved, regardless of circumstances.

Peter's college girlfriend, Jennifer, became pregnant with their son after only eight months of dating. Carter was born on March 16, 2001, several months after Peter and Jennifer graduated.

Under tight financial conditions, Pete was determined to be everything his parents were not and spent as much time as possible with his son. However, many pressures began to strain Jen and Pete's relationship. They broke up and decided to equally share custody of Carter. Pete was left to raise his son under very difficult circumstances with little support.

Although it was extraordinarily difficult, Carter and Pete grew tremendously close and Pete still considers this period to be the most trying and rewarding experience he has ever faced.During this time, Pete began to realize the importance of involved fathers and was determined to start an organization to increase awareness and support for dads. His concept was to start an organization around a "No Ifs" concept that would endeavor to educate the public about the importance of fathers. However, he soon realized that an organization already existed and was working to support and encourage dads: National Fatherhood Initiative.

Pete and the National Fatherhood Initiative partnered to produce "No Ifs" awareness bracelets to remind fathers that there are no excuses for uninvolved fatherhood.

There is a very happy ending to Pete's story. Jen and Pete have realized the importance of their relationship and they are now married (Carter served as Pete’s best man). Carter is a healthy and happy seven-year-old and Jen and Pete both have successful careers. As a result of his own experiences, struggles, and triumphs, Peter is committed to staying involved in Carter's life and encouraging other fathers to do the same with their children. He had "No Ifs," and neither should you."

So, order your "No Ifs" bracelets today to show your devotion to your children!

Day 25 - Getting Involved: No Ifs...

Your children need you -- no matter what!

There are "No Ifs" when it comes to being the best dad you can be!

Order your No Ifs™ bracelets today to show your devotion to your children! Or better yet, give them to your kids to let them know you are an involved, responsible, and committed dad. Get your braclet at: http://www.fatherhood.org/noifs.asp

Day 24 - Getting Involved: Becoming a Doble Duty Dad

Kids Need You to be a Double Duty Dad™!

There are 24 million children in the United States today growing up in a home without their father. Even dads who are in the same home as their children sometimes need a little extra help and encouragement on the journey of fatherhood.

If you are a dad whose children are grown, or away from home, chances are you’ve mastered everything from diapers and first steps to first dates and driving lessons. You might feel as though you’ve already finished your tour of service.

But National Fatherhood Initiative knows you have valuable experience and unique talents to give! Join NFI's Double Duty Dad™ program, and by giving as little as 24 hours a year to helping kids or helping dads, you can get rewards for "doing Double Duty."

To get started, simply sign up! And, don't forget to buy the Double Duty Dad™ kit, complete with a Double Duty Dad™ hat you can wear, and a Double Duty Dad™ Guide that's filled with helpful tips for working with dads and kids and recommended volunteer organizations. Plus, when you buy the kit, you become eligible to receive rewards - Bronze, Silver, and Gold pins - for the hours you log!

Then, it's simple--start volunteering! Keep track of the time you spend. For logging 12 hours or more--as little as 15 minutes a day--we will mail you rewards for your dedication to "doing Double Duty."

Dad, it doesn't take much to make a difference. Help the kids and dads who need you, right now! Sign up for Double Duty Dad™ today! And - don't forget your Double Duty Dad™ kit -

Day 23 - Getting Involved - Receive the Dad E-mail

Join the Dad Email List

The Dad E-mail is our weekly e-newsletter filled with helpful hints and tips just for dads! We'll give you relevant ideas for connecting to your children, balancing work and family, handling tough family issues, and more.

Get Connected - sign up for the Dad E-mail! http://www.fatherhood.org/dademail.asp

Day 22 - Join the Dad's Club

You're a dad for life, so join the Dads Club for life!

Find out more about this and other products from www.Fatherhood.org by joining Dads Club at https://www.fatherhood.org/dadsclub.asp!

Children that are raised with involved, responsible and committed fathers do better in school, life, and work!

That's why the National Fatherhood Initiative works to educate and encourage dads across the country to be the best dads they can be! Dads make a tremendous difference in the lives of their children!

National Fatherhood Initiative's new Dads Club is a great way for you to show that you are committed to being an involved, responsible and committed father. National Fatherhood Initiative hopes to get tens if not hundreds of thousands of dads from all over the country to become a part of the Dads Club to demonstrate that they understand the important role Dads play!

Because you're a dad for life, we think it's only natural to become a Dads Club member for life. Once you join, there are NO renewal fees -- ever. Once you're a part of the Dads Club, you're a member for life.

A one-time fee of only $30 provides you with the following:

• An exclusive Dads Club T-shirt!


• National Fatherhood Initiative's most popular CD-ROM Directions for Dads™!


• A special "No Ifs" commitment bracelet to wear or give to your child!


• Great Discounts on FatherSOURCE items ONLY for Dads Club participants!


• Regular updates on National Fatherhood Initiative's programs, outreach strategies, and new products!


• National Fatherhood Initiative's weekly helpful Dad E-mail (optional)!
  

There are 24 million children growing up without their dad in the United States today, and the percentage of children living in father absent-homes has more than tripled in the past 40 years. As a member of the Dads Club, you are helping National Fatherhood Initiative reverse this cycle of father absence and promote father involvement.
You, Dad, can make a difference for the next generation!

Will you be a part of the solution?

Day 21 - Becoming a 24/7 Dad

OVERVIEW

Our community-based programming equips local, regional and state organizations to effectively engage fathers and strengthen families. We can help your organization to provide men with practical, accessible parenting resources that foster self-awareness, compassion, and an increased sense of responsibility.

Partner with us to equip strong fathers and build strong families and communities.
Our Community-Based Programming Offers:

• Quality Resources
• Professional Technical Assistance
• Trainings and Workshops
• A Trusted Partner Download a printable overview
  

COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES - Our wide variety of curricula, brochures, and interactive resources are flexible, easy to use, and relevant to your needs as a facilitator.

• 24/7 Dad™ Fatherhood ProgramDeveloped by parenting and fatherhood experts, this program teaches men the characteristics they need to be good fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn More Buy Now
• Also available in Spanish as Siempre Papá™
• 24/7 Dad™ InteractiveNow dad can improve his fathering skills on the go! This self-paced version of our best-selling 24/7 Dad™ program takes dads on a personal journey to help them learn about and improve their parenting skills. Learn More Buy Now
• Dad's PackThis creatively packaged bundle is filled with essential skill-building and confidence-boosting resources. Each pack includes three of our most popular brochures and our Directions for Dads™ CD ROM. Learn More Buy Now
• BrochuresFilled with practical tips and guidelines, our brochures cover a variety of important topics. Brochure titles include "10 Ways To Be A Better Dad", "Creating A Safe Home For Your Family", "The Seven Benefits of Marriage For Men", and more. View Brochures

The Power of Impact - Day 20

"Every child has a hole in her soulin the shape of her father."- Roland Warren, NFI President

This past Father's Day, NFI President Roland C. Warren appeared on The Today Show to talk about the importance of fathers and how much children hurt - physically, emotionally, and economically - when a father is absent. We work hard to educate the public and start cultural conversations about the importance of involved, responsible, and committed fathers. View interview.

Today, pray that fathers will understand the significant role that they play in their children's lives. Ask God to give NFI the opportunity to continue to spread this important message.