Want to forge a stronger relationship with your children? Whether you realize it or not, many of the important life skills our sons and daughters carry with them into adulthood are lessons they learn directly from their fathers.
Father-Daughter Relationships
Many fathers are unsure how to nurture a strong relationship with their daughters, but the father-daughter bond can’t be underestimated. Studies suggest that daughters who have close relationships with their fathers are less likely to experience emotional and psychological problems and have a greater sense of self-worth (which has an enormous influence on the type of man she will eventually choose as her partner).
Maybe you don’t know how to talk to your daughter, but a recent study from Baylor University suggests that when a father and daughter participate in an activity that they enjoy doing together, especially a sport, they can strengthen their bond. Whether through sports, music, outdoors activities or other interests, find an activity you can share together and you’ll grow closer.
Father-Son Relationships
You would think that fathers and sons have an easy time of forging strong bonds, but that’s not always the case especially when they have different interests. Strengthen your bond with your son by listening and talking with him and spending one-on-one time together.
Make him a priority and pay attention to his interests. Find an activity that you both can enjoy together. Perhaps you love sports and he’s indifferent. But, you both love being outdoors. Try camping, fishing or hiking together.
Most of all, make sure your son knows that you are proud of him and his abilities and the man he is growing into. Knowing that you have his back and that you love him no matter what is a message he needs to hear to help him build confidence in himself.
Here’s an article by Roland Warren, board member of the National Fatherhood Initiative about the importance of father-son relationships if you’d like to read more.
Overall, whether you are a dad of boys, girls or both, make your children a priority, show them you love them with hugs and kisses daily and by finding ways to connect with them in a meaningful way whether through shared activities that you both are enthusiastic about or other little rituals like Saturday morning breakfasts, storytelling at bedtime, hiking, or cooking a weekly meal together.
Happy Father’s Day!
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