Artist captures his children’s lives from birth to adolescence in 3 minutes.
Category : Uncategorized
Category : Babies, Fathers and Children
Great You Tube movie of Dads trying to avoid the smell of their children when changing nappies or diapers.
Dads Changing Nappies
Article that appeared in Daily Telegraph Sydney on 24th October 2011.
Article that appeared in Herald Sun Melbourne on 19th October 2011.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/dads-told-to-keep-abreast-of-times/story-fn6bfmgc-1226170037948
One of the sadest times in a mans life is when he says goodbye to his father. Today I say goodbye to mine.
Dad led a great life, full of the usual hardship and joy that anyone of 83 might see. He was a devoted family man; a brother, a husband, a father, an Uncle and Grandfather. He was a loyal and reliable friend who cared about others and was always there to lend a helping hand. Dad was also a gifted and dedicated handy man who was well known for being able to fix what was broken and work until he solved the problem. Dad’s talent for building things was perfectly matched to his determination to work out how to build them. He would often tackle problems that he wasn’t qualified to solve saying “I won’t let it beat me” while heading out to the shed to keep at it. Though he had no formal training by
today’s standards he was fascinated by the mechanics of how things worked and what held things together. Even in his later years and declining health – and though he couldn’t get out in the shed – he would still light up and listen into a conversation that turned to electronics.
I will always remember his tremendous patience, his love of family, his creative and skilful hands and his sense of humour. Most of all what he has shown me in how to be a great Dad. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten.
R.I.P. Dad.
Category : Babies, Child behaviour, Fathers and Children, Pregnancy, Uncategorized, Work life balance
Up to 10 per cent of dads suffer some level of depression during pregnancy and after the birth; and Deakin University psychology researchers want to know why.
Australian dads-to-be are being asked to share their feelings and experiences as part of a study to find the triggers for ante and postnatal depression in men.
Not a lot is known about depression in men after the birth of a baby, so is it likely that many are suffering in silence, said Dr Helen Skouteris, Deakin psychology senior research fellow.
“Depression in men, pre- and post-birth, is not commonly recognised or talked about,” Dr Skouteris said.
“Keeping an eye on the mother’s health is a common and essential part of pregnancy, however it is equally important for dads to maintain their physical and mental health at this time and also after the baby is born.
“We do not know a lot about the risk factors for the baby blues in men, so it is highly likely that more men are suffering without being diagnosed.
“What is known is that depression post birth in fathers has serious negative consequences for their child’s development, for example an increased risk of behavioural problems, and for the relationship with their partner.
“By fully understanding the factors that might predict men’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy and after birth, appropriate diagnoses, advice and support services can be provided specifically for the needs of fathers.”
The researchers invite 250 men and their pregnant partners who are 12 to 17 weeks in gestation to take part in the study. The study will follow the participants from mid pregnancy to 12 months after the baby is born.
(Source: Deakin University Australia)
A new study between Lancaster University School of Management and Working Families has examined how fathers in paid work, particulary those with a low income, combine thier work and family life. The project looked at the extent to which flexiable working practices enable them to remain both a commited employee and a fully engaged parent.
The expectation of fathers being active and engaged with thier families is increasing. Fathers want to spend more time with their children and are participating in more direct care. This research suggests that 82% of full time fathers would like this to happen in thier lives. It is now becoming apparent that fewer fathers than mothers believe that it is the mothers job to look after their children. Men are spending more time doing household chores than ever before, they are also involved in more direct care. Although there is a changing shift, broadly speaking women still do the majority share. The inhibitors for fathers to be more active or have a better work life balance are: the pay gap; ideas about being the ‘breadwinner’; prevailing workplace culture; and social/gender expectations.
Fathers in the workforce who work flexibly do not consider themselves unusual or that they are viewed in a negative way because of their work patterns. Organisations need to ensure that they have policies that embrace flexible working conditions for all employees and not constrained by managerial attitudes. Having a workforce within a company that has low morale due to lack of understanding of what some fathers are experiencing at home, can have an influence on both work and home life.
Some of the key points from this new study are:
Working flexibly has a significant positive impact on fathers over those who don’t work flexibily.
Fathers who were working flexibily have better physical and psychological health.
Are more commited to their employer.
Fathers who have partners that do the majority of the housework were significantly more troubled by their work-life balance ompared to those that do most themselves.
This research would have a greater impact on first time fathers who are adapting to their new role at home and the added stress they may experience at work.
For fathers, the first step may be to begin a dialogue with your employer about your wishes and solutions to address these issues. No organisation wants to cultivate a culture of dissatisfaction or disinterest. So try negotiating your needs with your employer, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Okay I’m just going to put it out there.
Why are Government Schools so bias when it comes to divorced fathers? I had an incident the other day at my kids school when I tried to get my emergency contact details added to their enrollment forms. I was told very bluntly that the ‘law’ states that this cannot be done if the mother has already handed it in and singed the forms. When I asked the Assistant Principal what ‘law’ it applies to she was unable to give me a definitive answer. So I asked if she could find that law and let me know once she had found it. Getting no response from them, I rang each week to speak to the same person – the Assistant Principal. Six weeks later I had no choice but to call the District Office to voice my concerns about the lack communication from the school.
I was told, and already knew, there is no law about having access to your children’s files unless there has been an order presented to the school (which there is not).
You could call it a simple mistake although for a father, it can send a very clear message that we don’t trust you and assume that your involvement is minimal. I know there are some fathers who are not involved with their children either by choice or circumstance and this can effect outcomes on both sides. Without asking relevant questions organisations can make mistakes and compromise a parent’s involvement. For me, I found it a disgrace that I was the one who had to justify why my contact details needed to be included! I understand that the school is trying to protect themselves and the children in their care. But when it is your own children what is it they are trying to protect?
Consistently I read in newspapers or see reports on TV about fathers who are unwilling to participate in their children’s lives and the pointed view of the community on this subject. Divorced fathers find it difficult as it is to have a fulfilling relationship with their children given the circumstance they are facing, this only exemplifies the issue.
Now I am curious as to whether this occurs elsewhere and how fathers deal with this. If you are a father or know one who has had a situation like the one described above, let me know. Or if you would like to comment please do so.
Category : Daughters, Fathers and Children
While many married fathers leave discussions with their daughters about sex up to their wives, the fact of the matter is that single dads don’t have this luxury.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Family Issues, many girls feel that their dads can make unique contributions to their sexual socialization.
The young women in the study felt that their dads could help them understand men, learn how to talk to and ‘handle’ men. The study also stated that fathers “can set the example for how a caring man acts.”
Whether you have a choice about talking to your daughter about sex or not, experts offer a few tips on broaching the subject.
1. Start early. Being open and honest with your daughter about sexual issues from an early age will help her know that she can always come to you with questions and discussions.
2. Be age-appropriate. Use your daughter’s questions as a barometer for how much detail is necessary and appropriate.
3. Get help from the experts. Ask your pediatrician for brochures, books or other recommended reading regarding sex for your daughter. Once both of you have read it, discuss it together and honestly answer any questions she has.
4. Share your views. Letting your daughter know how you feel about sex and relationships is important in helping her form her own opinions and attitudes.
5. Talk about responsibility and consequences. Dads should make sure that discussions about sexual behaviors should include information about the potential responsibilities and consequences they involve including pregnancy, disease and emotional reactions.
Remember, it’s completely normal to be embarrassed when talking about sex with your children, whether they’re girls or boys. Keeping the lines of communication open is crucial to making sure your kids are properly prepared and educated about sexual issues.
