How to Be a Better Dad
The I-CANs of Fatherhood
Many of today’s fathers want to know how to be a better dad. Does that describe you?
Although there is plenty of advice available, you probably don’t want to be overwhelmed with information; you just want simple tips to help you do your best and be the father your children need. So here’s our answer to the question, for all you dads who want an easy-to-remember fathering plan. We call it the I-CANs.
Dad, you can learn and grow in your fathering, and those four letters – I-C-A-N – stand for four key fundamentals of fathering, according to our research involving thousands of dads. (And we hope it sticks in your mind whenever you get confused or discouraged. Just remember: I CAN be a better father.)
First, Involvement means spending time with your kids—playing, working on homework, going somewhere in the car, or just hanging out. For some dads, much of their involvement will involve talking on the phone. Involvement can be just the two of you or the whole family, although regular one-on-one time with a child is important. Involvement means being there for the major events and the small moments of daily living: when there’s a shoe to tie or a diaper to change, for the dance recitals and the big games, or just playing Candyland, hide-and-seek or even XBox.
C is for Consistency. How regular and predictable are you in your moods, habits, and behavior? Consistent dads stick it out even in the face of hardship, and they follow through on commitments to their children even when it means making personal sacrifices. They set clear expectations and hold their children accountable in positive ways. Kids need to know what to expect—especially when it comes to the one man who provides the anchor through all the ups and downs and uncertainties of life. And yet, these dads are also flexible and willing to make adjustments when they see the need to do so.
Awareness is the third dimension of effective fathering, and this is about actively seeking to know your children and their world, which is much different from our world. It’s knowing what to expect from children at a certain age and knowing what sets your children apart from their peers. Get to know them: What are their gifts, fears, frustrations, and dreams? Who or what influences them? What motivates them? What embarrasses them? (The list goes on.) This awareness equips you to act with confidence when you sense potential pitfalls in your child’s path.
N represents Nurturance, which is expressing love to your child. Some dads aren’t comfortable in the realm of emotions because their fathers weren’t great at showing them love; those dads just focus on other areas of their kids’ lives. But verbal and physical affirmation from a nurturing father is powerful to your children. It helps them feel secure and confident as they explore the world. So give lots of hugs and pats on the back, and be proactive about encouraging them verbally every day.
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For more about each of the I-CANs, see the article categories linked above or these featured articles:
What Consistency Looks Like in a Dad: 5 Keys
Knowing Your Child: Awareness Can Revitalize Your Fathering
More articles on one or more of the I-CANs are archived below …
Want even more? There are chapters on each of the I-CANS in Dr. Ken Canfield’s book, The Heart of a Father.
Recent articles on The I-CANs – How to Be a Better Dad
All Dads Face Difficulties. Are You Ready?
As fathers, we can’t predict the future, but times of testing should motivate us to step up as leaders for our children and families, and be prepared as best we can.
Sign on for a Lifetime Commitment
Commitment is our calling card as fathers. It’s our resolve to always act on our child’s behalf, no matter what the hour, no matter what other pressures are competing for our time, no matter how little recognition we receive, and no matter how young or old, near or far away that child may be.
Knowing Your Child: Awareness Can Revitalize Your Fathering
Awareness allows a dad to work from a position of strength, where you know what stifles your children and what makes each of them thrive. With that knowledge, you lovingly act to meet their needs.
Video: Stay Connected to Your Daughter
Rick Wertz and his daughter Amanda describe some simple but powerful ways dads and daughters can stay connected.
For Dads at Home: 3 Ways to Check Your Anger at the Door
Feeling anger or frustration isn’t the problem. It’s what you do with those emotions that’s key.
12 Opportunities to Grow with Your Family During the COVID-19 Conundrum
Here are a few ways we all might do things differently, whether it’s a brand new activity or a re-commitment to something we have done in the past.
Why Isolation Can Be Good for Fathers and Families
There are many negative forces that have invaded our homes and threaten our children’s innocence. Maybe we need to use this season of social distancing to build a wall of protection around our families to help us get back to positive habits and reestablish right priorities.
Dads: Apply Business Principles at Home During the Corona Quarantine
Dads, you can view this quarantine time as a problem, or you can be proactive and make the most of the time you’ve been given at home with your family. Here’s one approach…
5 Tips: Social Distance Can Mean More Father Involvement
As our lives have been altered and somewhat put on hold because of the danger, let’s view this as an opportunity to grow, bless others, and find new ways to keep strong bonds with our children.
Teaching Kids to Be Responsible
Disciplining kids when they already feel bad for their actions is tricky. Here are two tips for teaching kids to be responsible when they’ve messed up.