10 Parenting Tips For Fathers

10 Parenting Tips For Fathers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=G_Paul_Pruitt]G Paul Pruitt

Are you a father that wants to have a better relationship with his children? Do you feel that you could be doing more? Are you a new father looking for great advice on raising children? Here are 10 great tips for fathers.

1. Play with your child

Children love it when you play with them. Especially boys. It can be playing board games or playing sports. Or as simple as chasing around the yard. The important thing is that you are giving them your time, and that is what a child wants.


2. Read with your child

Children love to learn. And books are a great way to learn. Read with your child, and they will grow up loving to read. Your child may try and just read certain types of books, but try and find a variety of books. Some, your child won't like. Some they will. The point is to expose them to the many different types of books as early and as often as you can.

3. Change your child's diapers

I don't know why men are afraid of this one. I've been involved with changing my children's diapers ever since the first one was born. Yes, it can be smelly. Yes, it can be messy. You will survive. And your wife will appreciate you helping out.

4. Be firm, but gentle

From time to time, your child will need to be disciplined. This should start early and ideally be done by both parents, not just one. Parents need to agree on what should be disciplined and how. When your child needs to be disciplined, it is important to be firm. Your child, especially as they get older, may try to test you. If you don't remain firm, your child will not learn to obey you. But you need to be gentle. Children are fragile. I'm not saying that you shouldn't spank your children, but rather that if it is necessary, a quick one or two swats in a younger child is often enough to get their attention. Often, though, this isn't necessary unless you are in a situation where you are out in public and you need to get their attention quick. A better way is to use a time out. When used properly, a time out can be very effective.

5. Listen to all sides

Disagreements will arise between your child and others, whether they are siblings or cousins, or other children. It is important that before you decide what you should do, you need to listen to both sides. You may not know everything that led up to the disagreement, so this is important in deciding what to do.

6. Be fair

Sometimes, when you discipline one, you must discipline another as well. That is part of why you must listen to both sides. But being fair extends to more than just discipline. Being fair when you have multiple children is that you make sure you do things for both. There may be times when you have to pay more attention to one than the other, like when one is an infant and the other can fend at least partially for themselves. But you must not do this to the exclusion of the other. As they grow older, it can be important that you find time to do things with each of them. Just remember to be fair in the time you spend with all of your children.

7. Cook (and not just on the grill)

Some men disdain the kitchen. They will go out of their way to prove they don't know how to cook. Or if they do cook, will only do so on the grill. Cooking in the kitchen not only gives your wife a break, but also shows your children that men can cook.

8. Help with the housework.

The only thing some men disdain more than cooking, it is helping with the cleaning of the house. You don't have to maintain a spotless household, but helping to keep the house clean and orderly helps keep the environment safe for your children. With you helping to do the housework, your wife will be able to relax and have more time to spend with you as well. Just because certain roles are "given" by society to men and others to women does not mean that the other can't do the work.

9. Be available and present

You don't have to spend every moment you are around with your children. However, there are times when your child needs your attention. Make yourself available to your child. But you must also remember to be present. Just being physically present when your child needs you may not be enough if you are busy on the computer, watching television, or on the phone. Look your child in the eye and listen to what they need so you can better help them with what they need.

10. Remember to teach.

As a parent, you are a role model, Even if your child is in school, there are things you can teach your child that schoolteachers can't teach. Be involved in what your child is learning. You may not be able to help with everything. Help with what you can. Remember, the most important thing you can teach your child is how to interact with others, and you do that with how you interact with your child and with others.

These 10 parenting tips for fathers can help you be a better parent. Follow them, and you can raise happy, well adjusted children.

Want to learn to be a better father? Visit How To [http://www.squidoo.com/RaiseChildin18years]Raise a Child In 18 Years.

(C) Copyright -- G Paul Pruitt. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G_Paul_Pruitt http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Parenting-Tips-For-Fathers&id=1390408


Marriage - 6 Fun Things to Do As a Couple

Marriage - 6 Fun Things to Do As a Couple

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dana_Rhinehart]Dana Rhinehart


Is married life getting a little... predictable? Dare I say boring? Sometimes you just need to find ways to spice things up a bit. If you want to stay close, it's important to make time to have fun together as a couple. Here are a few things you can do to start having fun together.

1. Go out on dates.
What did you used to do before you got married? You probably went on lots of dates. Well, why not keep doing that? You could make an agreement to go on at least one date each month. If you can do more than that, even better! You may need to tweak your schedules and get a babysitter for the kids, but dating is one of the best things you can do for your marriage.

2. Read a book together.
You could pick out a book both of you are interested in and take turns reading it out loud. The nice thing is you won't have to wait and take turns, since you'll be reading it together.

3. Watch movies.
My husband and I watch a movie together almost every night. Usually we watch old favorites, but sometimes we'll rent something that neither of us has seen. If you're going to pick a movie that your spouse hasn't seen before, keep their preferences in mind. If your partner dislikes most cheesy comedies, they're probably not going to be terribly pleased with you for renting the Cone heads movie.

4. Take classes together.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to dance, play an instrument, speak a foreign language, or cook a gourmet meal? Does your partner share a similar desire? Sign up for classes together. It will make the class even more fun, and you'll be able to give each other moral support.

5. Pretend to be tourists.
If you can't afford to go on vacation or can't take the time off right now, why not pretend to be tourists in your own town? Just as it's easy to get stuck in a rut in your relationship, most people become jaded about the beauties and pleasures of their own home towns. There are probably a lot of places in your area that you've never been to. Go out together and check out the local attractions. Discover something new!

6. Start collecting something.
Are you both interested in old clocks or butterflies? Do you both have a thing for shot glasses or old record albums? Start a collection together. Hunting for something specific to add to, say, a collection of Star Wars action figures might be one of the few times a man will actually enjoy shopping with his wife.

Those are just a few ideas to get you started. If you take the time to consider each other's interests and hobbies, you can probably think of more ways to have fun as a couple!

Wishing you joy in your relationship,

Dana Rhinehart

Want to enjoy a happy marriage like I do? Want to find out for sure if you and your partner are compatible? Visit [http://questionsbeforemarriage.com/]http://questionsbeforemarriage.com for free relationship tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Rhinehart http://EzineArticles.com/?Marriage---6-Fun-Things-to-Do-As-a-Couple&id=1345977


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