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The Basics of Fatherhood

I came across an interesting little article in the New York Times on the Basics of Fatherhood that offered up eight simple rules to help frame the qualities that might shape a ‘good father’. It discussed (and linked to) an article by family therapist Marie Hartwell-Walker more broadly talks about the role of fathers in the modern world. Both are well worth checking out if you are a father, or are soon to be one.

I would like to think that I go alright on all of these, although to be honest, I could do a little more work on a few (as is always the case). It probably serves a useful purpose now and again to stop and assess how we are going in such an important role. As an aside, I like point seven, I try to make all discipline fun!
  • Embrace your responsibility
  • Be there
  • Be there throughout their childhoods
  • Respond to the needs of the kids, not your relationship with their mother
  • Be in a respectful and appreciative relationship with their mother
  • Do your financial share
  • Balance discipline with fun
  • Be a role model of adult manhood

Comments

Erik W. Laursen said…
They forgot laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh. My kid, and about every kid I've ever met, is really funny.
Dina said…
My father never read that article.
Oh well. Glad there is hope in your generation. So there is no "naughty chair" in the McCracken
home?
sam said…
it is cool how many modern fathers are taking the role so much more seriously than previous generations, and understanding how vital good fathering is. I must admit I have a problem with no 4, perhaps I am missing the point, but I dissagree with putting the needs of the kids above those of your spouse, because it teaches them to be bratty kids who think the world revolves around them, and undermines the primary relationship you will be left with long after the kids have left home! Hopefully both parents are interested in the needs of the kids, but they should be united, or kids quickly learn to play one of against the other.
Kris McCracken said…
I am already rolling out the well worn "I don't know why you're crying Henry, there are kids in Darfur who wouldn't turn their nose up at a lamb casserol like that!"

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