Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy. Yet I shouldn't have felt that way!
My wife had left for work and I was hanging the washing out to dry. A neighbour from down the way was in his backyard doing the same. 'Good day for drying', he called. 'Let's hope the rain stays away.'
I had to think about what made me uneasy. Then it hit me. Two men hanging out the washing!
When I was a kid that would never have happened. That was women's work, after all!
And that made me think about the changing role of men and fatherhood.
Change is seldom easy, hence the deeply buried sense of unease - even in someone like me who considers himself an enlightened individual!
The image of fatherhood has changed very much in recent years, hasn't it?
We've come a long way from the distant, unemotional, patriarch figure. The god-like master who provided for his family, but didn't expect to be troubled by family issues!
After World War II there was a definite shift. Men became much more involved in the play and leisure areas of family life.
Maybe this was due to the separation caused by the war and consequent feelings of vulnerability. But men still didn't get involved in household chores!
Today we see a much more enlightened image of the male as a co-parent, getting involved in all aspects of family life and pulling his weight in the home.
Or do we? . . .
Are we really there yet? Some men are moving in the right direction. Others need a gentle push!
Perhaps they need encouragement more than anything.
Young boys tend to see their dads as role models and often absorb, even unconsciously, their dads attitudes and habits. So if some of today's dads haven't witnessed and experienced the input of an involved father, the role may not come easily to them.
And yet a dad's involvement in family life has so much benefit both for the children, the mother and the dad himself.
By pulling their weight with the household chores Dads give a good example to their kids AND they help ease the burden on an all too often over-burdened Mum.
By getting involved in play and educational activities Dads can help build that vital relationship on which confidence depends - their own confidence as parents and the confidence of their kids:
So much to be gained, for all parties involved!
So if Dad is a rather reluctant participant in family matters, remember that as well as a firm push he may need lots of encouragement.
After all, the role may not come easily since hundreds of years on non-involvement are in his genes.
Let's all look forward to the day when hanging up the laundry is no big deal for a Dad!
Happy parenting.
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others fail? Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web pages, http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html AND http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
detailed home cleaning Lake Forest ..There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD,... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
trusted cleaning company Des Plaines ..The big yellow school bus is coming down my road... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
By not planning for the future we guarantee that we... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Just a couple of years ago Annie helped her parents... Read More
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Parenting |