Ways to be a Better Dad - #33

#33 - Don't Let mom do all the work

Some dads leave everything to do with school up to mom. This includes helping with school work, meetings with teachers and volenteering for school and class events. When you are not involved, it gives your child only one parent to help. Getting involved will help your child and your marriage. It takes the pressure off mom and shows your wife and your child that you respect her.

Ways to be a Better Dad - #32

#32 - Give Active Chores to your Children

Have your children vacuum, wash the car, or mow the lawn. Rotate the chores among your children so they don't get bored or think you're playing favorites by always having one child do an easy chore and another a hard chore. Link chores to a fun system - such as a game or contest - that will make chores a fun part of family life.

Ways to be a Better Dad - #31

#31 - Prepare Meals as a Family

Children enjoy learning how to prepare and cook food. They really like to learn when their parents teach them, even if all they're learning is how to make a peanut butter and jelly snadwich. Teach your children to make healthy meals. Have older children make at least one meal each week or month for the entire family. The more confident your children are about making and eating healthy meals, the less likely they will be to eat "junk" foods.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #30

#30 - Share Your Favorite Sports with your Children

If your children like some of the same sports that you do, play those sports with them. This sharing will allow your child to see you model part of a healthy lifestyle, and will deepen your relationships with your children. Consider coaching your children's teams as a way to model how vital an active lifestyle is to being healthy.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #29

#29 - Place your commitment in Writing

Create and sign a family contract. Have your children and, if married, your wiffe sign it, too. Put in writing that you will balance success at work with success at home so that you can be involved, resposible, and committed father. Read this contract at the start of every week to remind you of this commitment.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #28

#28 - Create Family Prime Time

Create a daily block of time for family called "family prime time." Turn off your cell phone, laptop, and pager, and keep your work off-limits during this time.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #27

#27 - Be with your family Every Day

Spend time every day with your children and, if married, with your wife. Don't limit family time to the weekends. Find times and events that are just of for family. Tuck your kids into bed, take an evening walk, or simply have dinner or breakfast together. This will help you stay connected to your family. If you don't live with your children, try to spend as much time with tham as you can. find ways to talk with them every day over the phone or by e-mail.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #25

#25 - Limit work on weekends, vacations and holidays

Don't make a habit of working n your days off. You need time away from your work to focus on family time. Have a co-worker cover your work during a vacation. This will keep you from worrying about it while you're gone.

50 Ways to be a better Dad - #24

#24 - Make a Career Decisions as a Family

Try to find a job that limits stress when trying to balance work and family. As you consider new work or a promotion, compare the benefits of the job to how it will affect your family time.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #23

#23 - USe work benefits that help you balance work and family

Your employer might offer benefits like flextime, shift swapping, telecommuting, paternity leave, or leave banks. Use them to help you with your work and family time. If your employer doesn't have these benefits, talk with your human resources office about offering them.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #22

#22 - Show your Family Commitment

Display things like your children's artwork and family photos at the office so that everyone can see how committed you are to family. Also, keep a scheduled family commitment just like you keep a work commitment. People will quickly learn to respect both your time at work and with family.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #21

#21 - Be choosy with special Jobs

Think before you agree to overtime work or special jobs. It may be tempting to have the extra money or respect, but it may mean you'll have less time with your family.

50 Ways to be a Better Dad - #20

#20 - Be a Team Player

Offer to help your co-workers and manager on special projects. It's a great way to prove that you can be flexible when needed. Treat people the way that you want to be treated, and they'll hlp you balance your work and family.