Hard working dads can still spend quality time with their kids
Date: 21/04/2011 / Category: School holidays and working parents
A mixture of economic and political factors seem to have resulted in people working longer hours in order to earn more money or just to hang onto their job. While financial stability is essential for bringing up a young family, dads who are stuck in the office are likely to feel guilty, or like they are missing out on vital bonding times with their child. However, family men should not despair, as there are many fulfilling activities they can use to bond with their child that can be achieved easily in spare time or at weekends - and after all quality is more important than quantity.
Parenting expert Hugh Perry on Sainsbury's Little Ones website highly recommends spending time with the kids at bath time, as it can be worked into Dad's daily routine or done at the weekends. Additionally, every child enjoys a bed time story, and those who have to work late could have their guilt appeased by making sure they are tucking their child into bed every night. Story time can be fun for Dad's too, with thousands of charming kids' books to pick from, and an opportunity to get a bit silly with different voices and even a bit of play acting, if they are feeling brave. Caring for a pet together or having a kick around in the park are two other suggested activities bound to make working Dads feel a bit closer to their offspring.
"But let's dispense with the myth that dads can only get involved in traditionally masculine activities. Nothing should be off-limits, from playing with a doll's house to dressing up. Outside your immediate family, no one need ever see you in that feather boa. Just make sure that you hide the video camera," says Mr Perry.
One area of parenting in which Dads are traditionally involved is sports. However, one expert on parenting.org has said that it is important that a good example is set to kids so they do not become bad losers. While parents should vocally support their child's team on the pitch, they should avoid rallying against the other side and must pay due respect to figures of authority on the pitch, the website suggests.
Posted by Lynne Woods
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