Changes in parenting roles and styles have given men more options for responding to obligations as fathers, husbands or partners. With the constantly changing roles of dads, what worked well for his father 30 years ago, may not work at all with the complex and varied challenges modern fathers face. Today’s families are increasingly more diverse, including single parent families, blended families, same-sex parents, unmarried parents, and multi-generational families. Within these diverse family structures can be similar thought patterns among parents: am I doing a good job? Am I a good mom/dad/parent?  

Current research reveals that involved fathers tend to have children with higher self-esteem. An affectionate and nurturing father-child relationship furthers the development of children’s achievements, peer popularity and personal adjustment. Supportive fathers, who provide reasonable, firm guidance, without arbitrarily imposing their will, will help to promote competence in children.  

The following advice is intended for dads since that is the topic at hand, but this advice applies to all parent figures. 

Parenting advice for dads (and all parents/caregivers) 

• Spend time with your child. Prioritize connecting with your child each day. Something as simple as open-ended play is a great way to spend time with your child!  Dump out blocks, spend time at the playground, get out paper and crayons. During these play experiences, try to stay present and engaged with your child. Put away your phone and other distractions and show your child you are invested in the work of their play. 
• Be your child's role model. Whether they realize it or not, fathers are role models to their kids. A child who spends time with a loving father grows up knowing they deserve to be treated with respect.   
• Be your child's teacher. To be a good father, teach your children about right and wrong and encourage them to do their best. Have conversations with children about important topics when they are very young so that difficult subjects will be easier to handle as they get older. Involved parents use everyday examples to help children learn basic lessons of life.   
• Respect the other parent of your child. Parents who respect each other and demonstrate mutual respect to their children provide a secure environment for them. When children see parents and caregivers respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected within the father-child relationship.
• Eat together as a family. An important part of health family life is bonding through family meals. It gives kids the chance to talk about what they are doing and want to do. It is also a good time for fathers to listen and be involved. It provides a structure for families to be together each day.   
• Read to your child. In a modern world dominated by television and internet, it is important that fathers make the effort to read to their children in order to grow lifelong readers. Begin reading when they are very young and as they get older, encourage them to read on their own. Instilling a love of reading is one of the best ways to ensure children will have a lifetime of literacy and personal and career growth.  
• Seek involvement early. Show interest early by understanding a father’s role during pregnancy or the adoption or surrogacy process. Gently play, hold, and talk to your infant. When fathers are involved, they send the clear and empathetic message: “I want to be your father. I am interested in you and we have a relationship that is important to me.”     

Few events change a man’s life as much as becoming a father. Being entrusted with the responsibility and care of another person is a monumental task but none is more rewarding than seeing your child grow gradually into adulthood, with your child’s self-worth confirmed.  Hopefully, these parenting tips can provide some guidance to dads trying to learn how to become engaged, supportive, and loving fathers. 

Hear from a 'lead dad' on The Work Life Equation

Paul Sullivan ,a former New York Times columnist, embarked on a quest to build the leading platform for Lead Dads, challenging the traditional notion of what defines being a father and parent. Listen in to hear his thoughts on embracing fatherhood, balancing work and fatherhood, and purposeful parenting.  

The Work-Life Equation: Paul Sullivan, Founder of the Company of Dads | Bright Horizons®