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What Your Husband Wishes You Knew About His Parenting
Featured Author:
Crystal Hernandez
Crystal Hernandez is a marriage and family therapist with over 16 years in the behavioral health field, with a special interest in women’s issues. The founder of Relating Today, a relational education and coaching business, Crystal is a trained instructor in the Couple Communication Program, which teaches skills of talking, listening, and resolving conflicts. She writes about managing life, marriage, relationships, and — yes — work.
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Crystal Hernandez | Excelle
January 25, 2009
The way you and I manage family life, parenting specifically, has changed in many ways and may or may not bear much resemblance to the family life culture we grew up with. For one thing, dads are more involved with their kids than dads were when I was growing up. My dad worked the third shift, which meant I saw him mostly on the weekends. No, he didn’t work out of town, although it felt like he wasn’t home—he slept during my waking hours and worked during my sleeping hours. My kids can’t image not seeing or being with their dad regularly. He gets my daughter and son up each morning for school, prepares their breakfast, and takes them to school, which allows me to sleep in an extra hour before starting my day with our two-year-old, the youngest in tow.
Fatherhood has changed in many ways over the last 40 years…
A 2006 University of Maryland study revealed that on average married dads spend 33 hours a week with their children in comparison to the 51 hours married moms spend with their children. Both moms and dads are more child-focused nowadays—and the increased degree of involvement by dads stands out as most remarkable.
Are you quick to acknowledge, support, and celebrate your husband’s fatherhood?
According to a recent National Fatherhood Initiative survey of 701 American fathers, it matters immensely to dads. And according to that survey, here are 4 factors about fathering attitudes that your husband would want you to know about his parenting!
1. Fatherhood is a highly important part of a married dad’s identity
2. Work responsibilities are the biggest obstacle to being a good dad
mimki
9 months ago
416 comments
Crystal, this is such great information. I appreciate the opportunity for personal reflection at the end of the article.