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.

Does your baby enjoy having his or her teeth cleaned? What strategies have you implemented for fuss-free dental maintenance?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dining out can be stressful rather than relaxing when you have rambunctious toddlers. Here are some tips to make it a more pleasant experience for everyone, fellow patrons and waitstaff included:

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.

I have always enjoyed immersing myself in beautiful art, and now I have the opportunity to share it with my husband and children.

An intentional marriage that is loving and affirming, is a powerful way to heal the wounds of insecure attachment. It’s one of the great graces of marriage as we grow in attachment to each other by providing consistent and responsive care.

As we live in an urban area, it takes some planning and effort to facilitate encounters with animals and experiences of plant life. What nature-themed adventures have you found in your area?

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.

Introducing your child to the great outdoors is part of the joy of parenting. Fostering a love of nature and curiosity about creation is par for the course. However, in Australia, the flora and fauna pose hazards aplenty. Be careful around unidentified plants!

Dads, spark your children’s imaginations! Stoke their curiosity! Be the fantastical father who fires up their brain synapses and inspires them to find their place in the world. You won’t regret it.

The first question we must ask ourselves when considering the fight for our rights as fathers is, How will it impact our children? What price will they pay? Divorces take a big enough toll on them.

Life gets busy, and despite the instinct to nest and collect all necessities before birth, your due date can creep up on you before you know it. Preparing during your second trimester might be ideal, as you tend to have more energy then.

One of the best things a dad can do for his kids is to love and respect their mother. A strong marriage creates security for the whole family, and it helps your kids thrive in significant ways.