![]() |
Parenting Information |
|
|
A Call For Fathers
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things in your life. A recent University study found that the average father in America spends less than sixty seconds per day in conversations with his children! The actual number was 47 seconds per day. How in the world does that happen? Certainly we fathers love our children and want the best for them. So what does this study tell us about the focus of our investment in the lives of our children? Are we too focused on our work? Are we too focused on our paychecks? What's with us men? Have we as fathers come to think that our kids really just need our money? I sure hope not. Our children need us to look them in the eyes and talk with them. We need to actually be involved in the lives of our children and teens. We need to actively raise them, teach them, and shape their character and morals and values. We need to do these things on purpose, with a plan, with a focus. Parenting is a "hands on" activity. So, spend time with your kids. Be available for your kids. Make your kids a major priority in your life. Protect your family. Be involved in your family. Look at your personal definition of "success." My definition has become, "The progressive realization of moral, virtuous, or Godly goals." Obviously this definition has little to do with how much money I earn, or how much status I attain in my profession. It has little to do with my children becoming sports stars or validictorians (although they are both). Success has to do with character, relationships, and spiritual growth. So fathers, please take the time to teach your children. Be role models for your teens. And spend more than 47 seconds each day in conversation with your children. Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
RELATED ARTICLES
5 Tips for Improving Communication With Your Teenager Parents are always looking for ways to open up the communication with their teenagers. Here are 5 ideas that are all within your control. How Effective Is EEG Neurofeedback Training in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD? Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician. How Many Sex Offenders Live On Your Block? For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives on the same block, can be a chilling discovery. The thought of it alone, can be disturbing. Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Blackmail Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part of the decision-making process. Children Who Talk to Angels What do you do when your child begins talking to some unseen entity? How do you determine if it's a psychic event, an imaginary playmate, or some sign of a mental health issue? You want to handle things in a way that is best for your child and of course in a way that isn't going to harm them in any way. You also want to make sure that you speak from a spiritual belief system that you can believe in. What Makes a Good Evaluation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? So you have just returned home from your third meeting with your child's teacher. She tells you that your child is not getting his work done, he cannot sit still, and he is simply not going to have any success in school unless something changes. Successful Treatment Planning for Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD ADHD O.K. Top Ten Things My Six Year-Old Son Has Taught Me (So Far...) I've learned numerous, important lessons on life, motherhood and men by being the mommy of a little boy.. What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school, at their friends' homes and in public places such as libraries and even from cell phones and video game consoles. Internet is everywhere, that is why kids and teenagers (and their parents, too) should be well aware of its dangers to avoid them. Encouraging Your Child to Write How in the world do you get your child to write? This is the battle cry of many parents. A lot of imagination, with a little bribery (or praise) is all you need to get your child writing. 25 Things That Matter When Relating To Our Children (Leaving A Legacy Of Love To Those We Love) In my opinion, these things matter.. Cooking With Your Kids Helps Develop Motor Skills for Preschoolers Did you know that cooking with your kids is a natural way for them to develop motor skills? If you've never looked at cooking that way before, think again. There's a reason why kids have a universal love for cooking - just like for stacking blocks and banging!Cooking is especially good for preschoolers and here's how:1. Games Of The Past Meet The Present Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters' children for a couple days, when she and her husband traveled to a bed and breakfast for some much need rest and relaxation. They don't have a chance to get away that often, so I was more than happy to help them out for this little getaway. The Importance of Fathers There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading role in the lives of their children. They are the obvious heroes of child rearing. Adoption: Laughter and Tears If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be an experience you'll never forget. Witnessing children in poverty, children discarded, children stunted both physically and emotionally, will stir your heart beyond belief. Screaming Kids Driving You Nuts? Four Rules to Help You Keep Your Sanity! Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr. when he has a fit or screams. Would You Hire This Teacher? Imagine you were the principal of the school that your child would be attending. Imagine that you were authorized to pick out which teachers to hire. The Importance of Mothers Moms, did you ever question your value as a role model, caretaker, administer of hugs and Band-Aids? I think we all have in today's climate of "do more, get more, have more." Many of us work to bring home a paycheck and others work for our sanity. Teaching Children Good Manners Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that my children knew how to behave in nice restaurants because they had been exposed to the atmosphere at an early age. My idea of well behaved might be different from yours, however, I think there are certain basics that are important and universal. Back to School Success: The Parents Job and the Students Job Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure how to handle things with our teen-ager. |
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |