A more modern version of the “Prodigal Son” that depicts the depth of a father’s love, featuring the song “Runaway” by Jess Ray.

A more modern version of the “Prodigal Son” that depicts the depth of a father’s love, featuring the song “Runaway” by Jess Ray.
Did you make fathering resolutions earlier this month? Consider these three suggestions from our long-time friend, Rick Wertz:
Think about your kids and focus on the positive—times when you feel love, pride, admiration, or maybe awe at the blessing of being a dad. The big question is, Do your kids know how you feel?
by Ken Canfield, Ph.D. It’s one of the most necessary preventive qualities that a father can instill in his children—giving them security, peace, confidence, and many other qualities you surely want them to have. It requires your steadfast focus and asks you to...
Younger dads, please don’t ignore this blog. I’m writing to more experienced dads, but I hope you’ll stay with us and maybe catch a glimpse of your future. We know the tendency for many seasoned dads is to tune us out. They feel like their fathering role is slowing...
This week we’re featuring Percy Kennedy and his insights from our recent fathering radio special. Percy is a man of faith and he uses faith to influence and help these desperate dads. In this short clip he challeges all dads with a description of some spiritual...
Think of Father’s Day as a milestone, the start of a new year in your fathering, when you end one season and begin another.
by Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield: You’re at your best when you’re taking action while showing that you have what it takes to courageously go after the things—and people—you love and believe in.
Shakespeare wrote, “It is a wise father who knows his own child.” Knowledge of the gifts, talents, hopes and dreams of your child is the first step …
by Ken Canfield, Ph.D. Every Father’s Day I get reflective about the state of fatherhood in our nation—where we’ve been and where we’re going. First, my attention goes to all the children who are fatherless; we are acutely aware of the impact of fatherlessness. Its...
Mother’s Day is something we should all throw ourselves into, because moms deserve it—and it’s good for us and for our kids.
What’s the biblical foundation for a Christian household? The third chapter of Colossians contains some pointed direction for Christian families: “Wives, submit to your husbands ... Husbands, love your wives ... Children, obey your parents.” We'd encourage you to read...
A few years back, a research study on parental discipline emerged from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, and here's the big headline for fathers: Dads are largely shirking discipline duties. "When it comes to disciplining the kids, there's been a role...
Insights Straight from Girls by Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC Dads, I'm here to give you an all-access pass behind the curtain of a girl’s heart from the vantage point of a few courageous girls who shared their thoughts. Romance and royalty. I wonder what it is...
by Jay Payleitner Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. - Romans 12:15 When our kids come to us with emotional news, why do we often reflect the opposite emotion back to them? I will never forget a brief conversation I had with my dad my...
According to recent research, boys in our country are "fragile." And this isn't a new idea. Similar things have been written for almost the past 30 years. When compared to girls, boys generally show much higher tendencies to struggle with issues such as: learning...
by Matt Haviland Is it possible to be a great father as a single dad? The short answer is, “Absolutely!” However, since being a single parent brings a variety of outside factors and dynamics, we may have to take a slightly different approach. It will surely look...
Howard, who grew up without a dad, became a father in his teens and has struggled for years with the demands of raising five children, especially since he never had a male role model. Working two jobs, he was always too tired for his kids and made excuses instead of...
What’s the best way to handle ourselves at our kids’ sports events? Brad was frustrated by his son’s baseball schedule. After spring sign-ups, the family was notified the team would be starting “spring training” right away, and those pre-season skill-building sessions...
There’s a powerful fathering insight that some of us need to hear and take to heart, and it comes from our online search data. Quite a few people come to fathers.com using search terms like: “how do I deal with my angry dad”“why is my father always yelling at...
As dads, there’s a truth we need to embrace—and the earlier in the fatherhood journey that we do it, the better: Our kids don’t come with guarantees. Some of the most powerful examples of this are found in the tragic episodes of violence that crop up in news feeds all...
For quite a few years, our staff at NCF had the privilege of interviewing dads as part of essay contests and Father’s Day celebrations around the country. Those interviews brought out the unique and often inspiring ways each man expressed his commitment to his...
Your children just started school or are about to go back, and that should be a big deal in your mind—whether they’re starting kindergarten or the last year of graduate school. They will mature and be shaped in incredible ways during coming months, and of course you...
When someone announces, “I’m going to be a dad!” it’s a reason to celebrate. When one father made that announcement, his wife quickly followed with a report on his recent surge of activity at home. Apparently his joy and anticipation inspired him to rearrange their...