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I am so lucky to have a husband who helps me tremendously every day when it comes to taking care of and raising our baby. I benefit from this as I have gotten more sleep, food and have less stress than if I had to do it all on my own. More importantly, though, my son benefits and will continue to benefit his whole life.
Mothers and fathers parent differently and have unique and complementary roles. Fathers tend to encourage competition, independence and achievement, while mothers tend to encourage equity, security and collaboration.
Fathers who take part in everyday activities with their children, such as eating dinner, watching TV and playing in the yard are extremely important in raising satisfied and happy children.
Mother’s Influence vs Father’s Influence
Fathers involvement differs from mothers in at least four ways: playing, encouraging risk, protecting and disciplining.
Playing
Stimulation, excitement and unpredictability often characterize fathers style of play. Mothers style of play is usually more controlled and less stimulating. Playing with fathers teaches a child how to regulate their feelings and behavior. Roughhousing with dad can teach a child how to deal with aggressive impulses and physical contact without losing control of their emotions.
Encouraging Risk
Fathers tend to encourage their child to take risks. Mothers tend to worry about their child’s safety and well-being. Fathers are more likely to encourage their child to overcome obstacles, talk to strangers and go to the deep end of a pool. Fathers tend to stand behind their child so the child can face their social environments while mothers tend to position themselves in front of the child between their child and their environment.
Protecting
Fathers tend to be better at keeping predators and bad influences from harming their children. When fathers are involved they can better check what is going on in their child’s life.
Disciplining
Although mothers discipline more often, fathers discipline with a firmer hand. Fathers tend to be more willing to confront their child and enforce discipline, leaving the child with the impression that they are more authoritative. Mothers tend to try to reason with their child and rely on the child’s emotional attachment to them to influence their behavior.
Here are five ways having a hands-on dad helps a child.
Your Baby Might Be Less Fussy
A recent study showed that infants who had fathers who were more involved with their infants lead to a lower chance of babies developing colic.
Your Child Might Be Smarter
A study found that fathers who more engaged and active when playing with their babies in the first few months performed better in cognitive tests at age 2. The more positive interactions the babies had with their dads the higher the children scored. Toddlers with involved fathers are better problem solvers and have higher IQs by age 3. Another forty-year study also showed that children whose fathers spent more quality time with them between the ages of birth and 5 have a higher IQ than kids who receive little attention from their dads. At school children of involved fathers do better academically. They are more likely to earn As and less likely to repeat a grade. Fathers who are sensitive, calm and less anxious have the smartest children.
Your Child Might Be More Well Behaved
A study found that fathers who are emotionally attached and have a strong bond have a significant effect on a child’s behavior. Fathers who are emotionally involved raise kids who are less likely to suffer from behavioral problems in their tween years. Babies that have more involved fathers are more likely to be emotionally secure, confident in new situations and eager to explore their surroundings.
Your Child Might Be More Successful
A study found that fathers who are hands on raise a child who is more likely to do better in school, is more social, more curious and eager to learn. The child will grow up taking risks and getting the skills necessary to be successful in their future careers. The child will be readier to start school and can deal with the stress of being away from home all day better than a child with a less involved father. The child is less likely to have behavior problems at school and to experience depression. A girl with an involved father has higher self-esteem. A boy show less aggression, less impulsivity and more self-direction.
Your Child Might Be Happier
A study shows that fathers who have regular daddy days with their child, where they spend the whole day with them, raiser a happier child.
