Almost everyone agrees that communication — good communication — is essential to successful relationships. But what constitutes ‘good’ communication?
Byron and Francine Pirola
In 2019, Paak released "Make It Better", featuring Smokey Robinson — a sweet, phat track that contains much wisdom for us married men.
Nathaniel Marsh
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.
Guest Writer
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.
National Center for Fathering
Becoming a single father brings with it a whole raft of incredibly significant changes to your life. Being a single dad means being the absolute centre of your child’s life; the pillar that their future rests on.
Guest Writer
Does your baby enjoy having his or her teeth cleaned? What strategies have you implemented for fuss-free dental maintenance?
Jean Seah
"‘Why Can't We Hate Men?’ asks a headline in 'The Washington Post'. A trendy hashtag is #KillAllMen. Books are sold titled ‘I Hate Men’, ‘No Good Men’, and ‘Are Men Necessary’? How did an ideology arise that condemns masculinity as dangerous and destructive?”
Warwick Marsh
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.
Kurt Mahlburg
A few words of encouragement to single dads who have custody of their kids. In many ways, these dads can learn valuable lessons from the many single mums who have blazed the trail before them.
National Center for Fathering
Behind every behaviour or decision that you make, is a value; something that you hold in high esteem and is advanced in some way by the action. Deliberately choosing to make what is important to one, important to both, is the way you can intentionally develop your coupleness.
Byron and Francine Pirola
My toddler son loves diggers, or excavators. He can spend hours watching a digger at work, piling earth into a dump truck. So when I saw there was a discount for Dig IT at Mount Tamborine, a mini excavator park for children in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, I pounced on it.
Jean Seah
During a break in filming Knox Grammar School’s Centenary Tattoo, I googled ‘Virile Agitur’, Knox’s school motto. I almost fell off my camera chair when I discovered it means ‘do the manly thing.’ What a fantastic motto for an all-boys school!
Nathaniel Marsh
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.
Kurt Mahlburg
Pride is profoundly I-centred. It defends our threatened ego by diminishing the other and consequently puts distance between us. Humility is the foundation of harmony and love between husband and wife. It helps us get the focus off winning and onto each other.
Byron and Francine Pirola
Richard has now experienced what an incredible blessing it is to be a parent. As a single dad, he courageously stepped up to a task that seemed too big, and now he recognises the amazing things he would have missed had he chosen to give in to fear and run.
Guest Writer
I remember the feeling of accomplishment when I successfully managed my first bus trip with my newborn all by myself. With an infant, the mundane act of taking public transport transforms into a glorious adventure and holds a multitude of teachable opportunities.
Jean Seah
The concept of atomic habits, popularised by James Clear, emphasises the power of making small, routine changes that compound over time. If you build good habits, good results will eventually follow.
Warwick Marsh
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!
Guest Writer
In one simple sentence, Dr Johnson nailed the foundation of couple arguments: “Arguments are a protest against disconnection.” It revolutionised our interactions.
Byron and Francine Pirola
Ten years ago, Hogan Hilling and Austin Dowd began collecting passionate, tender photos and eloquent, heartfelt comments from a diverse group of fathers from around the world. "Dadly Dads" showcases the good nature, wisdom and value of men in the lives of their children.
Don Mathis
Now that I have two toddlers, we spend many happy hours in playgrounds. Here in Brisbane, we are spoilt for choice. There are various new features which surpass the playgrounds of yore.
Jean Seah
News
Dads 4 Kids News is for writers to share interesting insights, news, and stories, to encourage dads and their families.
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The opinions of the various writers are not necessarily the opinion of Dads4Kids. Please do your own research and come to your own conclusions. We welcome feedback and if you would like to submit an article for the Daily Dad, please contact the editor at info@dads4kids.org.au
Seven Habits of Effective Communicators
Almost everyone agrees that communication — good communication — is essential to successful relationships. But what constitutes ‘good’ communication?
5 Reasons Holidays are Important for Fathers
We are right in the middle of celebrating the Easter holidays, which always come up as a welcome watering hole of rest and recreation for fathers and families. What has this got to do with you as a father, and why is it important?
The Story of a Teen Dad’s Struggle to Become a Better Father
Today, at the age of 18, Ramos has a one-year-old daughter, Hailey. As he prepared to celebrate Father's Day with his daughter, Ramos reflected on his family, and his hopes for his daughter's future.
Resurrecting Our Marriages
Easter Sunday – the high point of the Christian calendar celebrating Christ’s resurrection from the dead. What does this day, this event, have to teach us as married couples?
How to Go the Extra Mile for Your Kids
Does integrity matter? Sacrifice? Hard work? Compassion for others? Giving? They will emulate what they see and learn from our actions. Going the extra mile for your kids can be wrapped up in one statement: You are second. Live by that.
5 Quality Time Tips for Busy Mums
I’m a rookie at this, but here are five ideas I’ve come up with to get the most out of the precious time we have together. I’d love to hear from other working mums who have ‘quality time’ tips for newbies like me.
Why Do They Call It Good Friday?
At Dads4Kids, we’re all about inspiring fathers, but easily, the best way to be inspired is by following Jesus and making him the Lord (King) of your life. After all, how can we expect to be the best fathers we can be if we don’t know the ultimate father, our Father in heaven?
Reject the ‘Red Pill’ — Carry Your Cross
Real manhood is not to be found in the Red Pill, nor is the manosphere’s response to the cancer of feminism the right one. Real manhood is to be found in taking up your cross and following Christ, even if it means following Him to death.
Growing into the Role: New Dads and Brain Research
Scans actually showed significant biological differences in the dads’ brains as they grew into the role of fathering their infants. We can be the fathers our children need, and at just the right time. That should give us confidence and a sense of purpose as dads.
Hear Me, Touch Me, Know Me
In any relationship, especially in marriage, its strength and quality can be measured by the depth and sincerity of the intimacy we share. For any couple to have sustained and vibrant intimacy, one that increases in depth and meaning, proactive investment is required.
Barry Williams — Eulogy by John Anderson, a friend from Canberra
Barry Williams was a tireless worker and advocate for children’s rights, lone fathers and families. Even after his medical episode, he did not relent. He started the Lone Fathers ACT (LFA) branch in 1972 and later extended it to a national body.
I Can See Clearly Now – Surviving Post-Natal Depression
I can’t explain the despair I felt after having my beautiful baby girl. It crept up upon me slowly, dealing with losing babies and the anxiety that was caused throughout this pregnancy, until finally, I couldn’t bear to face the day ahead.
That’s All I Want to Say
Dads, you are important in the lives of your children. Whether you have contact with them or not, you are important. Make your presence count. See what your children are up to, listen to what they are going through, and speak words of encouragement to them.
8 Creative Ways for Dads to Spend Time with Their Toddlers
Even young kids need time with dad. They need to learn from us. They need to grow with us. It is not always easy, and we are usually exhausted, but it is so important to give that little bit of extra energy to enter their world.
Stonewalling: A Silent Killer in Marriage
Stonewalling – aka ‘the silent treatment’ – is common in many marriages. Never helpful and poorly understood, we ignore it at our risk.
The Embarrassing Fiasco that International Women’s Day Has Become
What explains the rising global discontent with feminism? To answer that question, we need to look no further than the recent observance of International Women’s Day, just held on March 8.
Personal Tribute to My Grandfather (Poppy): An Amazing Family Man
Poppy prevailed and received custody, becoming the first man in Australia to win custody, and therefore, setting the precedent for the future of men’s rights in Australia.
Are You a Helicopter Parent? A Lawnmower Parent? Or a Que Sera Parent?
Are you a Helicopter Parent? A Lawnmower Parent? Or a Que Sera Parent? Most of us evolve through these stages of parenting. As parents, we can be far too hard on ourselves and live in fear.
Must-See Movie: The Great Escaper
The heart-warming new film "The Great Escaper" has been in cinemas across Australia since Thursday. My wife and I don’t get to the movies all that often, but "The Great Escaper" looks like an instant classic, if the trailer is anything to go by.
Chief Prosecutor Surrenders
For all the judges’ talk about unmeritorious cases unlikely to convince a jury, the fact is that many of our juries are sending innocent men to prison — even when the evidence doesn’t stack up.
The Role of a Mum and a Dad
I have previously written about how children are wired to need both a mother and father. This is a fact that has come into much sharper focus for me as our little Squish has begun regularly calling out our names.
Kiss to Connect
One way that couples can actively build connection and re-establish the excitement of sexual anticipation is through the ‘Connect Kiss’. This simple practice takes a mere 20 seconds a day: ten in the morning and ten in the evening.
Winging It as a Single Father: How Did I Get Here?
Becoming a single parent was not part of my long-term life plan, and I would venture to say that most single mothers and fathers would agree, but like I always say, “We all have a story.”
Perfectionism to Peace: You’re Not What You Think You Are
To be honest, I still struggle with criticism from time to time, because the lie that I have to be perfect to be loved still resurges whenever it gets a chance. I still do battle, but I am no longer unarmed.
New Dads Want to Be More Involved, But Aren’t Being Taken Seriously
Until the 1970s, men were banned from the birthing suite. But fathers are now moving from breadwinner and disciplinarian to involved parent.
Barry Williams – Australia’s Historic Lone Voice for Men, Children and Families
In the early seventies, Barry Williams became acutely aware, as a single father to four young children, including a 13-month-old baby, of the lack of support for men and fathers. His lifelong advocacy for single parents and their children has been phenomenal.
