To The Dad Who Needs To Be Asked Out To Help, Your Kids Are Missing Out

There have been many studies that have shown that when fathers are more involved in parenting, their kids do better and are happier. This is because dads can play a big role in the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development and well-being of their kids. 

So to the dad who needs to be asked to help out, here are the things your kids will be missing out on:

5 benefits of an involved father

Benefits to your child’s cognitive development

A dad’s presence and involvement in parenting can help raise the IQ of their kids, equip them for better learning, help them have better verbal skills, and achieve more academically. Moreover, kids who grow up in a home where their fathers are more involved are less likely to have behavioral issues, are more likely to enjoy their time at school, and participate in more school activities. These show that as dads become more involved, the more they are helping their kids become more successful in school and life as well as improve their mental health and well-being. 

Benefits to your child’s physical development

As a result of a dad’s inclination to be more active and vigorous when playing with their kids, children who get to spend a lot of playtime with their fathers tend to develop better balance, vision, coordination, and posture. The active play that Dads get to do with their kids helps stimulate important parts of the brain that deal with balance and organizing itself so that body can properly respond to gravity, external stimuli, and other sensory information. 

'Remember, parenting is a team sport and you are 50% of that team.' —JR Santiago

Benefits to your child’s social development

Studies have shown that for kids who grow up with involved fathers, they tend to have a more positive relationship with their siblings and other kids. These studies have also shown that kids who grow up in this kind of environment display less aggression, negativity, and conflict and they tend to become more generous, mature, and have the ability to relate well with others. They also tend to grow up more tolerant, empathetic, and understanding of other people. These allow them to develop successful long-term relationships as they become adults. 

Benefits to your child’s emotional development and well-being

Kids who are able to securely attach to their dads tend to be more resilient when facing different or strange situations. They are also more curious about their environment and can relate better with strangers. Moreover, they are also able to have greater tolerance to stress and frustration and are able to gain adaptive skills, and are better problem-solvers. Kids with involved fathers are also more resourceful, attentive, skillful, and playful when faced with problems and they are able to manage their impulses and emotions better.

READ ALSO: 10 Things New Dads Can Do As You Enter Fatherhood

Involved dads can also help their kids become more optimistic, have less emotional distress, and improve their overall life satisfaction. As a result, their kids will be able to demonstrate better internal control, have more initiative, develop self-direction, and be less impulsive. As young adults, they will have a greater sense of self-acceptance, see themselves in a positive light, and will be well-positioned to succeed in school and at work while being mentally healthy. 

Benefits of having a positive role model for your sons and daughters

An involved father can set the standard on how she should be treated by the men in her life. By showing that they are good partners and parents, daughters will know what they should look for and expect from the men who will come into their lives. Moreover, an involved dad can provide the necessary security and emotional support that their daughters need as they grow up. 

As for their sons, involved fathers can become role models on how to be good people, build good relationships, and have the right values. This is because what kids see, they imitate and follow. If they see their dads as loving, caring, and respectful to others, chances are, they will grow up to be the same. 

Parenting is a team sport and you are 50% of that team

It is now clear that when dads are not involved in parenting, there is a higher chance that their kids will grow up unhappy and will miss out on the benefits of having an involved dad. This is why as a dad, you need to see parenting as a team sport and you make up half of the team and that means you have to put in the work to be an active participant in your child’s growth.

This means changing their nappies, giving them baths, playing with them, dressing them, waking up to feed your baby, helping them with their homework, reading them bedtime stories, attending parent-teacher association (PTA) meetings, cooking for them, and yes, even doing your fair share in the house chores. 

There is much you and your child can gain with your involvement 

There are so many benefits that your child can have from the relationship they can build with you as an involved dad. So go ahead and put in the time and effort to build a nurturing, supportive, sensitive, friendly, warm, affectionate, accepting, and comforting relationship with your kids. You will not only help them succeed, but you will also experience the greatest joys of being a dad.

Sincerely, 
A dad trying to be a more involved parent every single day 


JR Santiago is the founder of Dadvocacy Community, an advocacy on Facebook and Instagram that encourages and inspires Dads to be more involved parents. He is also a co-founder of an online Facebook Group for dads by dads called Dad Tribe PH. JR believes dads don't babysit, they parent.