Many men show little interest in their children’s lives, yet they claim full fatherhood.
Being a father is a career that involves learning skills, attitudes and looking at the world differently. It is an experience that no two people can duplicate in life.
Dads Under Construction: Adventures in Fatherhood was written by Dr. Neil Campbell as a snapshot of his journey through fatherhood.
In the book he writes, “in the dad class program that I facilitate at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in London, Ont., more than 1,200 expectant and new fathers have been encouraged to construct for themselves a model of involved, responsible fathering.”
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Fatherhood is not so much genetics or heredity as a real working relationship built over time.
Campbell suggests 10 things to build a fatherhood relationship.
- Support and respect the mother of your children.
- Work together as a team, sharing equally in all child-rearing tasks.
- Spend time with your children.
- Show love and affection toward your child.
- Protect your family.
- Spend time together as a family.
- Tell your story.
- Promote and encourage your place of work to be father-friendly.
- Set an example.
- Being an involved father is for life.
Fathers have to allow the events in their children’s lives to be part of their own. Talking down to a child or making all the decisions does not help a child grow.
Being open and honest is the best way to show your children positive values. You can have more influence than you believe.
I recommend the ideas in the book. Remember to pick and choose each idea to make sure it fits you. Also make sure you’re not trying to force these ideas on someone else.
Dads Under Construction: Adventures in Fatherhood, by Dr. Neil R. Campbell, is published by Dundurn Press.
