One of my most favourite things of all time is when one or both of our boys have a day out with dad. Partly because it means I get a day out with myself that usually consists chocolate, girly movies and/or pampering, but also because I notice a distinct difference in my boys every time they return. As if they’ve grown up a little bit and for the next few days, I’m no longer the ‘go to’ parent, nor the receiver of all hugs or general requests. It’s nice.
As Dr Justin Coulson says, kids spell love T-I-M-E and one-on-one time is a whole other level of awesome to a kid. Just ask mine!
I was a bit miffed to read this research that showed a dad’s love may actually be more important in a child’s development that a mother’s love.
“Knowing that kids feel loved by their father is a better predictor of young adults’ sense of well-being, of happiness, of life satisfaction than knowing about the extent to which they feel loved by their mothers,” said Ronald Rohner, the director of the Center for the Study of Interpersonal Acceptance and Rejection at the University of Connecticut.
A big shout out to single mums – you ladies are my hero! The good news is that it doesn’t have to be your child’s biological dad. It can be a Grandfather, uncle, or a role model in your local community or church. We have an amaaazing male kids’ pastor at our church who takes every opportunity to build into the lives of each child. That’s what you need!
And don’t freak out dads! It doesn’t mean you have to get fancy and start planning elaborate events to take your kids to. They just want to be in your presence. My boys love a trip to Bunnings as much as a trip to the football. And they think their dad is pretty much the best in the world because reads to them and tucks them in at night. I don’t need a scientist to tell me dads are important, I see it in my house every day.
