Bill Cosby a father himself said “If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right”. Perhaps what Bill Cosby was getting at in a humorous way is; dads even if you are concerned you might not parent right; do it anyways and you will likely do enough right. Children do not need a “perfect Dad” just a “good enough Dad” to be positively impacted by him.
Dads play a huge role in their children’s development and well-being. Research is showing that a dad’s direct involvement with their children reduces the risk of many concerns including drug use and early pregnancy in children. Dads often become their child’s playmate interacting with them by playing rough-and-tumble games when they are younger and playing sports or other games with them when they are older. This interaction of play is important for children but the interaction cannot stop there. A dad’s interaction with his children needs to continue into other areas of their child’s life including areas of school, the child’s interest and friends, as well as at home. Dads are so important that a dad’s consistent involvement and interaction in their child’s lives can impact their children for the rest of their lives.
To celebrate your Dad on Father’s Day email me your favorite memory with your dad to jwilmoth@growcounseling.com by June 17th and we will choose a submitted memory by random to give a amazing dad a gift card for Father’s Day.
More information:
Jennifer Wilmoth, LAMFT
jwilmoth@ growcounseling.com
