ParentGuide News published one of Jeremy’s articles for their Father’s Day special. The article, called The Father-Child Connection, focuses on how Dads can connect with their children even if they are working away from home every day.
Jeremy started with noting one of the most informative research studies he has ever read.
What I found most interesting were findings relating to which parent a child chooses to soothe him or her when hurt or awakened in the middle of the night. The study found that even when the mother worked full-time, 80 percent of the time the child would choose the mom to meet a physical or emotional need. But with a stay-at-home-dad, the children in the study were just as likely to go to the mother as they were to the father. This tells me that despite working full-time, mothers are able to develop bonds strong enough to soothe their children when they are upset— even when mom is away during the day. This made me wonder, “How can we working dads develop similar bonds with our kids?”
If Moms can do it, so can Dads.
Jeremy wrote about how he became the Night Watchman for his kids and how that changed his relationship with them tremendously, and his confidence as a father.
He ends the article with 5 tips for bonding with babies as well as other tips for building a strong connection with your children.
Additional Tips to Foster Father-Child Bonds
- Change into “at-home” clothes after work. This sends a message that you’re in dad mode, not work mode.
- Take over bath duty. Play with your kids while they’re bathing. Then dry them off and get the kids ready for bed.
- Handle all diaper changes when you’re home.
- Feed your children. If they no longer need your help eating, fix their plates, then sit, eat and talk with your kids.
- Take over “tuck-in time” at bedtime as many nights as you can. Develop special nighttime routines that involve reading, singing or cuddling.
- Be the one to soothe kids back to sleep when they wake up in the night.