Mums and dads – we need you!
To mark Father’s Day 2009, US President Barack Obama wrote a really important blog post about the pressures he has faced in combining work and home life.
In it he called on dads to ’step up’, highlighting the very human dilemma that many dads face, regardless of how ‘powerful’ they are…how to play a role as provider and still carve out enough time to be actively involved with their children.
We want to know what mums and dads think of the issues he raises. Make a comment here or register to receive information about our forthcoming Dads and Work survey
whilst many fathers do play an active role in the rearing and development of thier children this has to be more than just providing. Fathers need to undertsand the importance thier being there means to thier children, when the children go to the park to play, On the first day at school or nursery, to read with thier children and when its time for bed for the children to know thatthey are sae as mammy and daddy are there.
I fully understand the juggling that takes place to ensure that my children recieve not only the materialistic things in life but the one thing that money will never be able to provide quality time to develop a relationship with both parents. and whilst many young dads unable to find work will state thatthey spend a lot of time ewith thier children its about more than that, its to do with the activities and interaction with the children in my words “just being there is good, but not good enough its about more than that”
I am fortunate that I have been able to earn enough to support my family and have some flexibility to be with my children and enjoy many of their “firsts” and interests. However I really do feel that fathers with less regular (office hours) and local work are ignored by many well meaning initiatives. I have friends who are on shifts or who work away from home for long periods. I,m sure there are many dads in the services or working on rigs,ships etc. and I do think a lot of helpful stuff and advice tends to ignore them and sort of imagines all men have an office job with regular hours.
Come on Fatherhood Institute include all dads.
For the last year I have balanced work, professional exams, spending time with my son and looking after the house. I have regularly taken my son to feed the ducks, to the swings in the park, and to parent-child sessions at the local playgroup. It has been a struggle to manage all this and I do find myself dozing at work at times. However I want to be there for my son and I have “stepped up”. Recently I have asked for help but no one seems to knwo how to help fathers.
Hello
I work in a childrens Centre in Birmingham and I work with fathers in our area, I hope to run gym sessions and sports activities as well as ongoing support. I was interested in Richards comment and would welcome any suggestions of what kind of suppport fathers would like? whatever works in order to help you.
Tom
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Dads and Children's Services
How welcoming are schools, maternity and children's services for fathers, and do they offer useful information and support to dads? Tell us your experiences and share your views.
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Click here to start this survey
Dads and Work
How could Britain's workplaces become more supportive of dads' family responsibilities?
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