Committed dads embrace their role as a privilege, not an obligation. Shift your mindset and become a more engaged and positive father.
Keep Using Your Unique, Mysterious Secrets with Your Kids
Some fathering practices are distinctive to you and your kids, and somehow they just work. Even simple rituals can strengthen your bond with them.
Three Responsibilities of a Father
What should a committed father do? Jeff Hamilton suggests all dads focus on three areas to help equip their kids for life.
The Myth of Quality Time
To a child, any time can be quality time. As dads, we need to relish every moment and every opportunity to connect with our kids.
4 Habits of Dads Who GET IT
Some men just seem to know how to be great dads. How do we know? Here are four habits that showed up again and again in interviews.
A New Life and a Vote for the Future
A new baby is a reminder to step back and see our children as precious gifts, and invest ourselves with great commitment and humility.
Father’s Day: Your Kids Are Worth Your Very Best
It’s great to be honored on Father’s Day, and it’s even better if it’s also a time to connect with your kids and recommit to your role.
Staying Calm at Bedtime: A Dad Needs Tips
Bedtime is a common challenge for dads. How can we keep it peaceful and positive, and avoid making it crazy and confrontational?
Ways to Fight Fathering Commitment Erosion
You’re a devoted dad, but there’s a problem: your commitment level erodes over time. Here are three suggestions to help you fight it.
A (Re)Vision for Fathers & Society
Dr. Ken Canfield revisits some dreams and visions about the state of fatherhood, and challenges each dad to make a difference where he can.
Fathering Is Worth Doing Badly
Fatherhood is hard for many of us, but it’s very much worth the struggle. Growing as a dad is a lifelong process.
Questions to Help Dads Connect Heritage & Legacy
As dads, our present and future are critically linked to our past. Use these questions to gain perspective on your fathering.
Categories
Welcome to the fathers.com fathering library.
On the left you will see how our blogs and articles are categorized. Choose your stage in the fathering journey under Your Kids, click on a specific situation that applies to you, or browse through the items in our hot topics and fathering fundamentals. Also, check out Tools for the Journey – short downloadable pieces with tips for specific challenges.
Single Dads: Will it Really be OK this Holiday Season?
by Matt Haviland If the holiday season ushers in an assortment of emotions to most people, that’s even more true for single dads this time of year. Joy, laughter, and anticipation may be at the forefront. What about dread, anxiety, or doubt? “Yes” to all of the above,...
Ways to Give Meaningful Gifts to Your Kids
How do you decide what gifts to give your children this time of year? Maybe your family has settled into an annual routine that seems to work pretty well. Maybe the kids create lists to help you know what they want. Maybe most of the gifts have already been bought...
From Duty to Delight: Transforming Your Fatherhood
What’s the secret ingredient of good fathering? And maybe more importantly for many dads: What can you do if you never saw that kind of father as you grew up? Jeff is a committed dad who has a great perspective on fathering. He’s passionate about being the dad his two...
Time: Are You Spending or Investing?
by Ron Nichols There’s a common expression that we use all the time. It’s pretty harmless in itself, but as fathers we need to think differently with it. It’s the simple concept of spending time. We always say, “I spent a lot of time on that project,” or, “I spent 20...
Consistent Fathering: A Steady Hand in a Stormy World
by Dr. Ken Canfield Don’t worry. This isn’t about politics. It’s about being a father. The election is over and we’re all left to deal with it, whether we’re happy, a little angry, or mostly indifferent about the results. Maybe our lives will be significantly...
Dad: Water Your Daughter’s Heart with Positive Words
by Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC Dad, how powerful are your words in your daughter’s life? As you might suspect, I believe they are extremely important. Like a plant needs water, your girl needs your encouragement and affirmation. Allow me to illustrate further...
5 Ways Dads Can Protect Their Kids from Digital Dangers
by David Tucker - Founder, DigitalParenting.com We are bombarded with new studies almost daily illustrating how technology can have life-altering adverse effects on our children. From distraction and depression to predators and pornography, technology has evolved into...
Instilling Generosity in Our Kids: Strategies for Dads
by Dr. Ken Canfield Here in the middle of October, it’s evident in many American stores that we’ve already entered the holiday season. Halloween decorations are up for some, and Christmas products have been on display for several weeks now. This is an early heads-up...
Raising a Future Adult: 3 Ideas for Dads
Dad, if your kids are still pretty young, we have some news for you: They grow up. Some dads of teenagers and adult children would tell you that this is bad news, because a young-adult child is causing them a lot of worry and stress. Other dads would say kids growing...
Keep Using Your Unique, Mysterious Secrets with Your Kids
by Ken Canfield, Ph.D. Last week’s blog provided you with “dad hacks” that some fathers use to make their lives easier and connect with their kids. I trust at least some of them were helpful to you or at least caused you to do some deeper thinking or brainstorming. It...
Dad Hacks: Use These, Share Yours
Many of our best insights here at NCF are research-based. We often talk about the I-CANs or the 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers, and much of what you’ll see at fathers.com is based on those frameworks and the fathering practices associated with them. We also regularly...
Three Responsibilities of a Father
by Jeff Hamilton, founder of Dad Academy® The responsibilities of being a father are more than just what you are able to provide financially or support emotionally. Research proves the importance of a father’s presence in a child’s life. Beyond being present, a...