TIPS For Families

Men may get caught up with the idea that providing for children is the best way to care for and express love for them. While it's true that creating the means for food, clothes, and shelter is a great way to provide for a child - it's not the only way to show caring. In fact, these basics are just the beginning. This role in many families is shared by both the Mother and the Father.

There is a maxim, "I've never seen a tombstone that read, I wish I'd spent more time at work." The message is that, as we grow older, most of us wish we would have spent more time with our families and less time trying to get ahead at work. In the same way, you probably have never heard a child say, "I wish my dad spent more time at work."

More than anything in the world, children want their parents' attention and love. Further, research shows that children who receive positive attention from their parents do better in most all aspects of their lives (home, school, work, etc.) than children who do not receive this attention. This is regardless of how much money they have or the type of neighborhood they live in. So remember, being a good father doesn't mean making sure your child has all the best toys, or lives in the best neighborhood. It means making sure your child has all the benefits of having you in their life.

If you wish to leave feedback about this TIPS for Families, click on the TIPS Feeback Form below.  For more information on fathering go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln publication website at www.ianrpub.unl.edu and click on Families.