Parenting has evolved over the years as modern parents are spending more time with their children than previous generations. Fathers, in particular, have become more involved as a research shows that the nearly eight hours that dads spend each week caring for their child at home is an hour more a week than it was two decades ago.
Numerous studies show that children benefit from having an active father in their life since this results in better behavior.
What’s more, having a present father can also influence them to make better choices once they reach their teen years.
Apart from spending more time with their kids though, fathers should make it a point to improve the quality of interactions that they have with their little ones.
Children thrive when they feel understood, and knowing that they’re loved gives them a strong foundation, enabling them to feel confident and capable as they grow.
If you’re a dad, here’s how to be a great parent and build healthier connections with your kids.
Let Them be Themselves
Back in the day, most children wouldn’t share their interests with their dads for fear of getting judged, mocked, or yelled at.
In fact, according to a recent study, four in 10 Millennials said that they are more likely to say that they felt judged by their Boomer parents than by their friends.
As the majority of Millennials have become parents themselves, many individuals from this generation are taking active steps to be better than their mom or dad by going to family therapy.
Fathers, in particular, are working on being more understanding of their child’s preferences, actions, and interests in order to make them feel safe and accepted.
Making your child feel safe isn’t just about letting them know that they can depend on you for basic needs or that you’ll never do anything to hurt them. It’s also about making them feel secure enough to confide in you and share the things that they’re interested in.
To build a healthy connection with your child, allow them to be themselves, and let them like what they like.
For instance, if your son would rather join the choir than be on the football team, be positive and supportive, and attend his school performances. If you’re not a fan of pop music but your daughter loves Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, go to concerts with her anyway.
Let her play their music while driving her to school. Allowing your children to be themselves can make them feel safe and loved, and it’s a good way to avoid repeating the toxic behavior of most of our elders.
Find a Common Interest
It may be difficult to find an activity that both you and your child will love, especially if your little one would rather spend time on their phone than do anything else.
However, having a shared interest can create quality bonding experiences. It can also boost your child’s self-confidence, so it’s important to find an activity that both of you will enjoy.
To do so, observe your child when you’re out and about. Do they love playing in gaming arcades? Perhaps you can play together sometimes, then go have a burger or pizza right after at your favorite fastfood place.
Have they expressed an interest in art or a sport? Maybe you can go to galleries together, or play bowling or pickleball.
Don’t have any idea what they’re into right now? Just ask them, straight out. It may take some trial and error before you find an activity that works for you both, but the time and effort will be worth it.
Encourage Them to Talk to You
Most kids today would rather go on Google or TikTok to find the solution to a problem instead of asking their parents for help.
While this shows creativity and self-reliance on their part, having your kids constantly rely on the Internet can result in missed opportunities to impart wisdom to your children. Encourage them to talk to you by creating moments wherein they can ask you anything.
For instance, instead of watching TV after dinner, have everyone gather in the living room, prepare some fun desserts, and get the conversation going by asking about their day. Ask if there was anything that they had trouble understanding in school, or if they need help with a project.
Doing so lets them know that they can come to you for help regarding these matters, and soon, they may feel more comfortable talking to you about certain problems or difficult situations that they’re facing.
You don’t have to be a perfect father, but you can be a better one by allowing your children to be themselves, finding a shared interest, and encouraging them to talk to you. By being present and active in their lives, you can help your children to be confident, assured, and happier as they grow.
