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Parenting - Celebrating Fathers
Celebrating Fathers
On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives. Not
just our dads and the fathers to our children, but all the
men who have made a positive impact on a child’s life.
A number of recently published studies call attention to
the effects of good fathering. Men who play an active role
in their children’s lives stimulate all aspects of
development: emotional, academic, behavioral, and social,
even when those men don’t live in the same home as
their children.
But we don’t need a study to understand that the men
in our lives matter, whether he’s a husband who lives
at home, an ex-husband who lives across town, a stepfather,
a grandfather, an uncle, or a mentor in the community.
Even from a child’s conception, a supportive father
makes a difference in the lives of mothers, their children,
and the world-at-large. In fact, research shows that women
with supportive partners experience fewer health complications
in pregnancy and have better attitudes about the inevitable
physical changes to their own bodies. Studies indicate that
even labor and delivery may be shorter and easier when your
partner is by your side.
Men lend a sense of self-control. They model their work
ethic. They make us laugh and help us develop a sense of
humor. Men teach self-reliance, self-confidence, discipline,
independence, and the ability to deal with frustrations,
large and small. They help their daughters understand how
to relate to men and the meaning of trust and intimacy in
all relationships. They help their sons understand what
it means to be a husband and a father and a man.
This Father’s Day, let us remember the father’s
role. Let us actively engage him in this day-to-day process
of parenting. Let us stand back so he can take charge and
do things his way once in a while. Let us see his parenting
style as a complement - and not an opposition - to our own.
Let us celebrate our fathers and honor them for making
a difference in our world.
Copyright 2001, Susie Michelle Cortright Susie Michelle
Cortright is the founder and publisher of Momscape, a website
devoted to nurturing the nurturers through empowering articles,
inspiring essays, and daily pampering tips, as well as freebies,
contests, and giveaways just for moms. Visit her at http://www.momscape.com
and get inspired to be the best mom you can be.
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