Dad, You Matter More Than You Know
Your kids probably won't say it out loud. But the park trips, the bedtime prayers, the homework sessions — they're storing every moment. Dad, your small investments are compounding in ways you can't imagine.
4 Habits of Dads Who Get It
Over time, our staff learned to identify some of the best dads based on some tell-tale comments. When we heard them talk about certain fathering habits or topics, we knew those guys really get it. They incorporate traits and attitudes that translate into great fathering.
The Most Important Job in the World
Birth rates across the West are plummeting, and our economies will suffer untold carnage in the years ahead — all because we have failed to assign value to the unseen work, that most important job of child-rearing. Still, we have an opportunity to turn this mess around.
A Sibling for Squish
For Squish in particular, the arrival of number two will be a game-changer. Here are three things she has to look forward to — three things that will change her life for the better.
The Top 5 Benefits of Reading to Your Toddler
There are many ways for us to spend time together, but I believe the most bonding of these is when we read together. There in my lap, she feels safe, secure, close and loved. What more could a toddler want?
Right Start
If there is just ONE THING you have on hand to give to new dads, I encourage you to have the "Help Me Grow Guide: The First Year". It’s an easy way to bring dads into the wonderful life of their child and encourage their participation right from the start.
Catch Them Being Good
Encouraging your kids about good behaviour is one of the most effective ways to train, or disciple, your children.
The Innate Traits of Girls and Boys
The toys my 14-month-old chooses to play with confirms my suspicion that girls and boys are born with in-built predispositions towards different activities and skills.
12 Crazy Weeks of Travel With a 12-Month-Old
Twelve weeks ago, my wife, my 12-month-old daughter, and I packed up our apartment in the United States for Squish’s biggest adventure yet — three months of travel, missions and adventure from the Great Lakes to Sydney, Australia and the jungles of Indonesia.
Love… More Than a Feeling
Loving needs to be unconditional. That’s what we’re all called to do as husbands and fathers. When a family member has a need, we take action. Even if it’s inconvenient! Love is more about commitment than feelings. But thankfully, the loving feelings will often follow the loving actions.
Squish’s First Day of School… In the Jungle!
One of the highlights for us has been watching our little Squish enjoy her time in the Early Learning Centre — a school we initially built for other children, but that our own daughter now attends!
How Do We Solve the West’s Fertility Crisis?
The West’s fertility crisis is ultimately an identity crisis. If Western civilisation is fundamentally oppressive, why would we want to perpetuate our existence? If we Westerners are destroying the planet, why should we continue populating it?
A Pregnancy Miracle!
Three years and three months after we began trying, Angie is finally pregnant! In the end, Angie and I cannot take credit for this miracle of pregnancy. There are no silver bullets, but there were three things that seem to have made a big difference in our case.
Three Tips for Cross-Cultural Travel With Your Baby
With so many rapid geographical and cultural changes, the learning curve has been steep, both for us as parents and for our 13-month-old daughter. Here are three tips from our travels so far for navigating cross-cultural travel with your baby.
The Blessing of Extended Family
This weekend, Squish met her Australian cousins for the first time, and the experience was as fun as we had anticipated, for babies and parents alike. To set the scene, let me tell you a bit about my family.
Your Baby’s Development: Newborn to 3-Month Milestones
Over the course of this guide, we'll break down the different areas of your baby's development and what to expect by the time you have a three-month-old.
Tension with Our Kids’ Mum Deeply Affects Our Fathering
Disagreements and tension with our children’s mother can’t help but spill over into how we relate to our kids. Our words and actions (or our inaction) can have powerful consequences for our families and children.
Off and Running!
The lesson we learnt is not to worry too much about our child’s milestones, especially if they’re within the broad, acceptable ranges. Every child is different and might bring their various skills together at odd times and in odd combinations.
Four Things I’ve Learnt in My Baby’s First Year
Being the father of a toddler came at me fast. Before the next big phase arrives, it’s time to slow down and reflect on four simple things I have learnt during Squish’s first year about some parenting basics.
Getting Fit and Staying Healthy: 8 Survival Tips for New Dads
Fatherhood is an incredibly rich and thoroughly immersive experience. It’s important to spend a little time to develop habits that will keep you healthy; this is something that can pay big dividends for you and your family in the long run!
Disciplining a One-Year-Old?
It happened so quickly, I barely noticed the change. But all of a sudden, our little bundle of joy needs to be disciplined. Every moment of the day, she is finding ways to test boundaries and assert her independence.
12 Things I’ve Loved About Squish’s First 12 Months
Our little Squish is fast closing in on her first birthday. Where have these last 12 months gone? My first year of fatherhood has been better than I imagined. It comes with plenty of challenges, of course, but so does every path we choose in life.
Squish’s Grandparents Come to Town
For the last two weeks, Squish has been surrounded by all four of her grandparents. It was the first time Squish had met my mum and dad, who flew in to the United States all the way from Australia.
Ways to Fight Fathering Commitment Erosion
How do you maintain your motivation and commitment as a dad? According to our own research on fatherhood, high commitment is the number-one sign or predictor of an effective father. But there’s a problem… our commitment level erodes over time.
New Dad Feels: Enthusiasm and Cost
For most men, being a new father ignites some new feelings that don’t really come from any other experiences in life.
Why Dad-Daughter Relationships are Indispensable
Dr Nielsen’s work at Wake Forest has concluded that women perform better in what they refer to as the 3Ms = Money, Men, and Mental Health, if the father-daughter relationship is strong.
