Fatherhood

With both parents in a child’s life, no one parent should bear the responsibility of a child’s health and well-being. A good parent helps a child develop confidence, problem-solving abilities and a feeling of safety and love. A good parent is involved in a child’s life from Day One of birth or adoption and throughout life.

The following ideas help empower fathers to develop and strengthen their parenting skills and give positive direction to their life. Parenting is a lifetime learning process embracing the idea that knowledge is required for raising children.

• Make time for your child every day. If you are not there physically, you can call or write.

• Be aware of when your child needs you; don’t wait to be told or invited.

• Make a list of family activities that can be taken on spontaneously such as reading with your child or dancing to music.

• Make time to vacation with your family. Make a day off feel like a vacation by thinking of family fun ideas. Encourage children to initiate or participate in the plan.

• Include your child in your daily routine whether you are going to the hardware store or work. Give your child an idea of how you spend time and interact with neighbors and friends.

• Stepfathers, grandfathers and uncles can be excellent role models for children and can help children develop a positive self-image.

• Participate regularly in night-time feedings and diapering; comfort your child when upset. These intimate moments show your child that you are there during difficult times.

• Listen when your child is hurting; help him or her work through frustrations and problems.

• Solicit your child’s thoughts about things as you experience them together. Set an example of how you share ideas and thoughts. For infants, imitate their sounds and gestures.

• Get to know your child one-on-one and develop your own interactive style. This will nurture the bond between the two of you.

From teachmorelovemore.com

Book List for Dads to Read With Kids

For Younger Children

• Baby Dance - by Ann Taylor 1999
• Daddy Is a Doodlebug - by Bruce Degen 2000
• Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti - by Anna Grossnickle Hines 1986
• Daddy Will Be There - by Lois G Gambling 1998
• Dad’s Dinosaur Day - by Diane Dawson Heard 1993
• If I Were Your Father Margaret - Parks Bridges 1999
• Just Like Daddy - by Frank Asch 1981
• Kevin and His Dad - by Irene Smalls 1999
• Let’s Play Rough - by Lynne Jonell 2000
• Lots of Dads - by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M Kelly 1997

• Animal Dads - by Sneed B Collard III 1997
• Dad and Me in the Morning - by Patricia Lakin 1994
• Daddy Could We Have an Elephant - by Jake Wolf 1996
• How Many Stars in the Sky? - By Lenny Hort 1991
• Just the Two of Us - by Will Smith 2001
• Lewis and Papa - by Barbara Joosse 1998
• Loon Summer - by Barbara Santucci 2001
• Night Driving - by John Coy 1996
• Reading With Dad - Richard Jorgensen 2000
• The Summmer My Father Was Ten - by Pat Brisson 1998

Grandparents and Relative Care

According to the 2000 Census Figures:

• 2,350,477 grandparents in the United States are responsible for raising one or more of their grandchildren
• 1,334,455 grandparents raising their grandchildren are working outside the home
• 6 million children in the United States today are living in grandparent or other relative maintained housholds
• 47,679 grandchildren in Minnesota are living with their grandparents
• 757 grandchildren in Olmsted County ore living with their grandparents

Grandparents Parenting Again

The Grandparents Parenting Again Support Group is offered for grandparents and relative caregivers parenting again. Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of every month (11:30am-1pm) and the 3rd Tuesday of every month (6:30pm-8pm). Child care is provided for the evening meetings. Daytime meetings are located at Child Care Resource and Referral. Evening meetings are located at Congregational Church. Childrens Support Programming is offered to children living in "Kinship Families." Fun activities are held once a month.

Grandparents Parenting Again
Child Care Resource & Referral
126 Woodlake Dr, SE
287-2020
www.c2r2.org

Information provided by Child Care Resource and Referral c2r2.org

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Parents as Teachers

Parents are responsible for the foundation of knowledge needed for later success in school. Research shows that the most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student’s family is able:

1. To create a home environment that encourages learning. Talk with and listen to your child as you play and do activities together. Read with your children at a regular time every day and when they ask you. Create a special place in your home for your children to read and write. Let your children see you read. That is the best way to show them that you think reading is important, and that you enjoy it too. Say rhymes and sing songs. These are easy for children to remember, so they can say them and sing them along with the rest of the family. Rhymes also help them learn letter sounds
2. To express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers. Encourage your children to do things for themselves when they are ready. Let them feed and dress themselves, and clean up after themselves even if these tasks take more time and are not done properly.
3. To become involved in the children’s education at school and in the community.

Attend Family events and parent discussion groups. PAIIR offers many classes in the Rochester area.

Maintain open communication with your child’s teacher or childcare provider.

Involvement now in your child’s education will make a difference, which will last a lifetime.

Information provided by Child Care Resource and Referral c2r2.org

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