There has been substantial amount of data collected pertaining to a mother’s role in the upbringing of a child. However, little content has been gathered as far as the role of a father is concerned which is why, they are often clueless. This article would serve as a basic guideline for first time fathers so that they can take an active part in their child’s life too. The importance of father’s role lies in the fact that can greatly influence their child’s cognitive, social and emotional capabilities. Following are a few tips for the first time dads:
1. Be a good husband
Being a great dad is not the foremost pillar in this process. It all starts with being a responsible, loving and a caring husband. The initial step is to recognize the importance of a family and keeping it together by getting actively involved in the prenatal process.
2. Be more communicative with your partner
Husbands need to show extra patience, support and involve in more open communication with their partner. Giving birth to a child is not an easy task and can be very traumatizing for the women as the body undergoes numerous hormonal changes. Thus, the mom needs to be given time to get accustomed to all the new changes.
3. Help mom feed the child
It is not only the responsibility of the mother to wake up in the middle of nights and feed the baby. Fathers need to play their role too and be supportive in this act.
4. Change your own habits
Fathers need to be extra cautious with a baby around them and mould their habits accordingly if required. For example, they should certainly not smoke with the child in room and even avoid placing any ash trays near them.
5. Buy toys with care
Usually fathers are very eager to buy different types of toys for their children. However, they do not need to spend extra lavishly on such products. Plus, they should make sure that the age range of toys is suitable for the child.
6. Be a protector
The father needs to identify his role as the family’s protector from any internal and external harm. He should be comforting and intimate so that the child also develops as strong attachment towards him.
7. Socio-economic status
Although, financial status is a highly important factor which may help to lead a good lifestyle, but, not the only factor. Research also opposes any such stereotypes and concludes that fathers do not necessarily need to show their love and affection through monetary ways.
8. Make your child a top priority
The child needs to be the foremost responsibility of the father and everything else shall follow. Even if it means rescheduling fathers own timetable.
9. Seek the best of fathers
There is no harm in reaching out to other fathers for help and guidance as they could provide valuable experiences from their life and fathers to be can benefit.
10. Infants love motion
Infants crave to be held up high in the air, jostled, bounced and be tickled. Research proves that such movements also have a healthy impact on their brain as it enhances their senses. Moreover, this role is best suited to fathers as obviously they can do with more passion and care at the same time.
11. More frequent interaction
According to a research published in Infant Mental Health Journal fathers who tend to interact more with their children especially in the early months tend to produce more sharp and intelligent kids as it builds their cognitive abilities.
12. Play with your child
This is an extremely important act to do as this element is different from what mothers provide. The concept of shared joy is crucial in the upbringing of friendly children.
13. Be productive
It is important for fathers to engage in productive tasks and help in the household chores too. For example, doing the laundry once a week, cleaning up the house and cooking etc. This will not only help the mother but boost their self-esteem too.
14. Teach them
It is important to involve the kids in educational activities as this would help them compete effectively with the academic competition. This can be done in several different ways including book reading or by using different gadgets.
15. Help them grow emotionally
It is important to be empathetic and affectionate towards the kid so that he/she could learn from their parents’ example and follow their footsteps ultimately. This would also help them build better friendships in the future.
16. Teach them social values
Teaching children the right kind of social values and morals is essential to make them an important and responsible citizen of the society. They need to know the difference between right and wrong so that later on they make the right kind of decisions in life. f
17. Work on ethics
It is a significant act to mould the behaviour of the child and make him/her more ethical. For example, discourage acts like bullying, shop lifting, lying, stealing etc.
18. Share your religious beliefs
Make them identify their creator and follow the religious practices keenly. Engage them in various religious activities and indulge them in rituals.
19. Guide them about assertive skills
Teach you kid the right kind of postures. Show them how to stand correctly, sit down, and make eye contact with the other person and so on.
20. Tell them to guard their beliefs
Educate them about being firm pertaining to their beliefs and so ‘no’ where required. However, it should be in a friendly yet assertive manner.
21. Share your own experiences
This step is essential as it would not only help them learn but, compel them to share their part of the story too. Thus, would make them more interactive and open towards their parents.
22. Love them from all your heart
All the above mentioned tips need to have this magical element. Without love and warmth no sincerity would be achieved.