Editor’s note: The essence of Attachment Parenting is about forming and nurturing strong connections between parents and their children. This Father’s Day, Attachment Parenting International (API) is celebrating fathers with the theme, “Dads are special.” Dads, we recognize and appreciate the importance of your involvement in your children’s lives — when our children flourish, our society thrives.
Today, more than ever, fathers are taking an active role in all aspects of raising and nurturing their children. Children, families, and society benefit from fathers’ care-giving and parenting contributions.
The importance of early positive father involvement is highlighted in the article, “10 facts about father engagement,” by The Fatherhood Project. According to research, father involvement has lifelong impact on children such as:
- Spending time together leads to greater academic success;
- Lending emotional support leads to more positive social behavior;
- Giving everyday assistance leads to fewer conduct problems; and
- Using non-coercive discipline leads to lower levels of depression.
But well beyond research, children themselves feel and know the positive impact their daddy’s involvement makes in their lives. As such, we invited a diverse group of children to share with us their inspiring thoughts about what they admire most about their dad.
I admire my dad because…
Oliver, 10: “…he is lovable.”
Connor, 7: “…he is very smart with electronics and fiber optics.”
Rachel, 11: “…that he hard-working at things, like building the brick sidewalk.”
Adam, 9: “…he is an amazing contractor and he builds everything for me. One day I hope to be just like him.”
Ella, 8: “…he is a really good fisher.”
Daniel, 10: “…he is funny, fair, and kind to my family, and he is a very hard worker so we get the things we need.”
Emily, 9: “…he can build chicken houses.”
Alexia, 11: “…he is always caring and respectful.”
Sofia, 6: “…he works hard and loves us so much.”
Noemi, 9: “…he is good at soccer.”
Nathaniel, 11: “…he is creative and has passed that onto me.”
Ethan, 13: “…he never lets us down. He always has enough energy to cheer us up and make us food when we’re hungry. I think that my dad really has confidence in his children including me. He’s a really lovable guy, always cracking jokes and playing around. I understand that there could be some hard times in life, but we must live to the fullest. That’s what he teaches me.”
Julian, 18: “…he has a very subtle, yet profound, appreciation for art.”
Shelly, 12: “…even though it may not be easy for him, he still works and takes care of his family every day.”
Andreas, 13: “…he is so hard working and determined, it inspires me through my daily life.”
Ethan, 9: “…he teaches me how to do stuff, and he always helps me.”
Liliana, 8: “…he is always kind to us, and he makes money for all of us. He shows us the right things to do, and he makes sure we’re safe and we’re happy.”
Thomas, 9: “…he teaches me many things that helped me greatly through my life.”
John, 10: “…he takes great care of me!”
Nathan, 5: “…he learns stuff.”
Gabriel, 20: “…he has a very good set of morals.”
—————
Inspired to read more about fatherhood?
Transformation of being a father
How has being a dad changed me?
Dads, talk about being a father
