"I didn't have anyone to show me how to be a dad, mine left when I was 3."
Robert - Father In Touch

What Dads Can Do

1. Write - let them know that you care about school, sports teams, dating, etc. Stay plugged into their lives.
2. Talk about your own past and the lack of training of being a dad.
3. Don't talk about how you are trying to improve; let them see it.
4. Call or email - at least once a week.
5. Let them know how special they are. I usually tell my kids that if I didn't have any children and someone gave me a choice, I would choose them all over again.
6. Stay away from berating mom. We are telling mom to stop berating you, so don't berate her. This just hurts your child.
7. No matter what some say, divorce is painful and gives a lasting memory that is not good. When they are mature enough, share some of what happened. Every detail need not be mentioned. This may help with the healing for you, as well.
8. Fun Day/Date Day - use this day to date your children. Tell them that it is their day and whatever they would like to do is on Dad. (Sent in by Derrick Walker)
9. Pray with your children - show and teach them the importance of having a relationship with God.

Things All Dads Need To Know

1. Children need physical touch.
2. Children need words of affirmation.
3. Children need quality time.
4. Children need gifts.
5. Children need acts of service.

- from Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell, M.D.-The Five Love Languages of Children)

3 Things a Father Gives His Child

1. Protection
2. Identity
3. Confidence

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