Jeff Jenkins: “As your children dream those big, seemingly unrealistic dreams, make sure you support them and encourage them.”
5 Ways to Support Your Student During Finals Week
Finals week can be stressful for a student! But you as a dad can help by doing a few simple things to let them know you care and you believe in them.
10 Ways to Support Creativity In Your Kids
Creativity fosters self-expression and nurtures emotional and mental health. It helps children express and deal with their feelings as well as provides an opportunity for trying new ideas and problem solving. Dad- you're an important part of the creative process! Make...
Shape Honesty: 1 Way to Train your Child in Integrity
When I learned that my son had lied to me, I thought about confronting him, but I was afraid that approach might not help him learn from the situation. So, here are the principles I tried:
9 Ways to Navigate Communication with Your Son
There are times in your journey that you may find it difficult to navigate communication with your son for one reason or another. Here are NCF's 9 Ways to Navigate Communication with Your Son to help guide you through those times.
Six F-Words That Will Help You Build Trust with Your Kids
by Brian Blomberg: I look into the eyes of numerous dads who, for many different reasons, don’t share that mutual trust with their children.
7 Tips: How to Prepare Your Child for Team Sports
Spring sports are starting and NCF wants to give you our favorite tips on preparing your child for team sports! Which do you plan on implementing this spring?
The Secret to Showing Children Respect
Our love and respect for our kids shouldn’t be based on a sense of our rights, or even what we think a child deserves. Our respect for them has to be selfless, active, and not dependent upon our mood or their behavior.
Messages on Mirrors: One Great Way to Affirm Your Daughter
by Michelle Watson, PhD, LPC I forget what age I was when I heard my first nursery rhyme, but there is one in particular that is burrowed deep into my memory bank like a steel nail into softened wood: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” This...
Be a Family Storyteller
by Steve Wilson Growing up, I loved listening to my grandmother tell stories of growing up on the western Kansas prairie in the early 1900s. Grammy was born in a sod house and raised her own family during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s! For a kid who lived in suburban...
Detective or Explorer? Dads & Communication
When dads and kids can talk things through in a healthy way, it increases the chances that they’ll be able to work together when challenges come along.
Find Your Child’s Connect Points: Bonding with Your Teenager
by Steve Lucey Our culture tells us that teenagers don’t want to be with their dads; they think we’re weird and out of touch. But I’m convinced that’s a lie. We are all wired for relationships; I believe there’s a God-given desire deep in the heart of your children to...
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.
Daughters, Legacy and Thinking Backward
by Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC Most of you dads have played sports at some point in your life—and if not, maybe you competed in debate, music, science, or some other pursuit. And I’m sure you know that every single time you step onto the field or court, you...
Spiritual Equipping: Raising Kids to Be Discerning
Mike served eleven years in prison. He comes from a family of ten children, and at one time, six of his family members were locked away. Collectively, they have given America’s prisons nearly 100 years of their lives. Mike has learned a lot because of his hardships,...
How to Actively Listen to Your Child
We live in a world of distractions. And dad, your child is not one of them. There have never been this many different things competing for our attention. As they add more apps and capabilities to our smart phones and more streaming services with more interesting...
Kids Need a Dad Who Loves (or Respects) Their Mom
As dads, we need each other. One of the best ways to grow as a father is to meet regularly with other like-minded guys. We see that other dads share some of the same experiences, and we’re more likely to open up about our own issues. As dads, we’re not alone, and we...
3 Questions for Dads on Providing for Your Family
What does it mean to provide for our children in today’s world? ... especially as roles and expectations have changed pretty drastically in the past few generations. Yes, providing is still an important aspect of being a dad. And along with Protecting our children,...
Protecting Our Kids: Body, Mind and Heart
Fatherhood has changed a lot in the last few generations. In some ways that’s good, and we could surely find some changes that are not so positive. But if we went back 50 years and asked an average person about what a father’s role is, there’s a good chance the answer...
Kids Need Consistent, Reliable Dads
What makes a good umpire in baseball? Is it flawless eyesight? Confidence? Decisiveness? Experience? Maybe the ability to deal with angry managers? Yes. Yes. And yes. But if you ask the players, most likely the quality at the top of their list would be something...
3 Ways to Better Know Your Children (and Avoid Some Surprises)
As dads, maybe the feelings we want to avoid the most are the disappointment, confusion, and remorse of being surprised by a major issue or challenge in a child’s life ... Someone your 9-year-old son has been chatting with online turns out to be a predator. Your...
Dad: Live Out an Unwavering Commitment
by Ken Canfield, Ph.D. There’s one factor that’s far and away the most important indicator that a man will succeed with his children: his commitment to them. The most effective fathers have a driving passion and an unfailing motivation to do their best for their...
New Year, Better Dad
Dad: this isn’t about a resolution. (Unless you’re into that.) Whatever you want to call it, the beginning of a new year is a natural time to make a positive change or start a new habit. And you should at least consider some ways to grow as a father. Reflect on what...
“I’m Proud of You Because …”
by Ken Canfield, Ph.D. Dad, if you’re anything like me, you’re very proud of your kids. Sometimes the simplest things they do can bring a lump to your throat or a tear to your eye. And I know ... Many of us notice our kids’ positive qualities and accomplishments, but...
Give Yourself for Christmas
Dad, do you want to know one the best gifts you can give your kids for Christmas—beyond the presents you wrap and place under the tree? Since the material gifts are likely already purchased and wrapped, let's talk a bit about a truly lasting gift you can give your...