Hey Dads...You Really Matter!

                   For as long as I can remember, I could always hear my dad’s voice in my head saying“Go for it. You can DO this!” Whether it was jumping from one rock to another as a child, building dollhouse furniture with his tools, or taking risks in my career as a woman, my dad’s belief in me always made me feel more confident. My mom impacted my self-esteem too, but in different ways. While mom analyzed all my feelings with me and held me while I cried (even as an adult), dad’s words of encouragement helped me get up and get it done. He helped me develop my moxie!

When we think of important people in a child’s life we often focus on the mother. A mother’s role and connection with her children is undeniably important and special. However, dads are important to their children too! Whether it’s a biological father, a step-dad, or another father figure like a grandpa or an uncle, involved father figures impact children’s development in great ways.

Their first important impact is indirect. A father that invests in his marriage and respects his wife, positively impacts his child. Happy couples that feel affirmed by eachother have less stress in their parenting. A husband in a good marriage also tends to be more involved in his children’s lives. This positive marriage also becomes a great model to the children for healthy relationships.

Children with involved fathers also tend to have better outcomes in their education. Studies show they have higher IQs, better linguistic and cognitive capacities, and can handle the stress of school more easily. (K. Pruett, Father –Need, 2000). It was also found that fathers who read to their children impact the child’s expressiveness by age 15 months and the use of advanced language by the age three. (Drevitch, Psychology Today, 20014). 

Dads impact the emotional well being of their child too. Kids with father figures tend to have higher self-esteem. Their ability to develop positive friendships and romantic relationship increases.  In a meta-analysis of 24 studies of parental involvement, Swedish researchers have found that kids whose fathers help care for them and play with them tend to have less behavioral problems and have a lower risk for becoming delinquents as adolescents(Drevitch, Psychology Today, 20014).

Lastly, loving fathers or father figures help children better understand the love of their heavenly Father. A man that spiritually leads his family in prayer, bible studies and worship passes on a spiritual heritage that has great value. His family will be greatly blessed.

Genesis 18:19 - "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."(NIV)

So thanks to the dads, stepdads, grandpas, uncles etc. who greatly impact the lives of the children around them. Probably more than they will ever know! We love you and Happy Fathers Day! (Wilkins 2014).