It’s a well-known fact that mothers tend to say “no” more often, as demonstrated in the movie Yes Day starring Jennifer Garner. However, fathers bring a different kind of energy.
But one thing I won’t say “no” to is when my kids want to horseplay with dad.
My spouse and I are currently enjoying a delightful phase of parenthood. Our children are more engaged, and he loves engaging in rough play with them.
I support allowing kids to take risks, but there are times when I need to step in if it becomes unsafe.
The trouble is, sometimes that dangerous activity has been instigated by their father.
Dads are often recognized for tossing their kids in the air, expressing affection through playful interaction. Rough play, as highlighted in various sources, has many benefits.
The following are just some of the positive outcomes we all want for our kids and our families:
- Resilience: Rough play helps develop grit in children, preparing them for challenges and encouraging perseverance.
- Physical Activity: Playful interactions are better than screen time, promoting good health and strength.
- Father-Child Bonding: Horseplay creates lasting memories and shows love between fathers and children.
When I asked my husband why it is important for him to engage in horseplay (after I convinced him it was not in fact a trick question), he said, first and foremost, that it’s fun for him and the kids. The giggles and belly laughs are proof of this fact. He also said that horseplay teaches healthy boundaries and how to interact in a safe way. It is always play without an intent to hurt, so when a kid starts to cross that line, it becomes a teachable moment. And when a kid wants to end the game and says “stop,” then Dad can model that stop means stop.
For those lacking father figures, it is crucial to encourage male role models to engage in essential rough play for the growth and development of children.
Mishaps can occur, but it’s important to allow dads to take the lead in playful activities.
Many fathers have found the SMS4dads program to be supportive in their parenting journey, appreciating the timely advice and encouragement it provides.
From Mums
New initiatives like SMS4dads offer support for fathers’ mental well-being and involvement in parenting, ultimately benefiting children in the long term.
Richard Fletcher
Richard, PhD, Associate Professor
Richard, an expert in fathers’ engagement, attributes his diverse career, innovative team, and personal experiences to helping him address issues related to fathers’ involvement in parenting.
His research underscores the significance of fathers in children’s growth and the necessity of supporting their mental health. It is critical to screen fathers for depression, not just mothers. Richard and his team have developed a smartphone program for new and expecting fathers, providing information, links, and mood tracking through texts. If necessary, fathers can receive support from counselors.
Following a successful pilot program, the SMS4dads initiative received funding for a nationwide launch. Richard emphasizes the importance of keeping fathers connected to health services.
In another discussion, James Breakwell shares amusing conversations with his four daughters, highlighting the humorous side of parenting as his kids pose profound questions and make witty observations about the world.
Turkey eggs, larger and richer than chicken eggs, are a rarity on menus. Despite their delicious taste and positive reviews, their size makes them difficult to handle and store. Furthermore, turkeys lay eggs less frequently than chickens. The higher cost of raising turkeys also contributes to the scarcity of turkey eggs in the market.
Those who have sampled turkey eggs share positive feedback, mentioning their delightful taste and larger size. Many individuals, particularly those with farming backgrounds, value turkey eggs and enjoy incorporating them into their meals.
Overall, the anecdotes shared by fathers, children, and turkey egg enthusiasts offer humor and insights into various aspects of life.
Wild turkeys in my area used to visit my bird feeders when I owned a house. Once, I found an egg in the yard, perhaps as a form of payment, jokingly.
I have a pet turkey named “Sweetpea” who is wonderful and provides delightful conversations. During the warmer months, she leaves me eggs scattered around the yard.
One interesting anecdote involves “technically edible” emu eggs: during elementary school, we had a teacher who raised Emus. She would use one emu egg for every three chicken eggs in her delicious cakes, but she never disclosed this fact. We didn’t mind.”
Addressing a question you may have never asked but desperately needed an answer to once you thought about it.
This article was first published in May.
15 quirky boomer habits that frustrate millennials to their core
“She will send a foreboding text like ‘we need to talk,’ only for it to turn out that she forgot a recipe.”
The intergenerational conflict between Gen Z and Gen X, baby boomers and millennials, arises from different upbringings during the technological revolution and varying political views and parenting approaches.
Xennials, older millennials, and younger Gen Xers share quirks of their boomer parents, creating an amusing list of habits that can be endearing or frustrating for millennials.
Summing up generations as stereotypes is limiting, but realizing that others have struggled with similar experiences with boomer parents can be comforting.
Below are 15 quirky habits of boomer parents that millennials may find puzzling.
1. They save everything
“They save EVERYTHING (containers, jars, boxes, etc.) just in case they might be able to use it for something later.”
In addition to saving containers, jars, and boxes, they also tend to save old newspapers, magazines, and even used packaging materials. This habit of saving everything stems from their desire to reduce waste and find creative ways to repurpose items. By saving these items, they are able to reduce their environmental impact and often come up with innovative DIY projects.
2. Scary texts
“She will send a foreboding text like ‘we need to talk,’ only for it to turn out that she forgot a recipe.”
3. Stranger death toll
“She ALWAYS tells me about deceased relatives I’ve never met.”
4. They don’t travel
“They are envious of our travels but refuse to go anywhere themselves.”
Some people may have a fear of the unknown or feel comfortable in their routine, which may prevent them from traveling. Others might have financial constraints or other responsibilities that limit their ability to explore the world. It’s important to understand that everyone has their reasons for not traveling and it’s not always a reflection of their desire to experience new cultures and destinations.
5. They print everything
“He prints EVERYTHING from his computer and keeps it meticulously organized.”
6. ‘From, dad’ texts
“He ends his text messages with ‘From, Dad’ every time.”
7. Irrational fears
“One of his quirks is his extreme fear of the house catching fire.”
Many people have irrational fears that can seem strange to others. These fears can vary widely, from a fear of heights to a fear of spiders. While these fears may not always make logical sense, they are very real to the person experiencing them.
8. Expired food
“She never throws out expired food.”
9. Smartphone addiction
“Boomers are far more addicted to their phones than kids.”
10. Rigid gender roles
“He strictly adheres to the traditional gender roles of ‘men’s work’ and ‘women’s work’.”
11. The TV is constantly on
“They keep the TV on at all times while they’re awake.”
12. They are always right
“He always insists on being right about everything.”
13. Obsessed with the weather
“He is a weather enthusiast and gets thrilled about severe weather events.”
Weather enthusiasts, also known as meteorology enthusiasts, are individuals who have a keen interest in the weather and all its phenomena. They often spend hours tracking weather patterns, following weather forecasts, and studying the science behind weather events. Some weather enthusiasts even chase severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms, in order to experience them up close.
14. One more thing
“Every time I’m leaving my mother’s house, she always has one more thing to say.”
15. Mail stress
“She experiences anxiety every time she sends a package or mail to me.”
This story was originally published in January.
Kindergarteners in 1949 were asked to draw their dads from memory. The results are stunning.
Featured in Life Magazine, children creating portraits of their fathers capture a unique glimpse of how children perceive their parents.
Photographer Al Fenn from Life Magazine has produced a series of diverse and iconic images, driven by his passion for photography.
In each portrait, the children exude joy while their fathers appear more serious. Comments on social media often mention the fathers’ professional look. Some believe the dads appear older by modern standards, while others appreciate the timeless feel of the images and comment on the pride visible in the children.
The teacher, Ms. Morcom, made a significant impact with her idea of having children draw portraits of their dads, later inspiring the fathers to draw her as well.
Parents who clash with teachers may be missing out on valuable insights into raising children. When students and parents interact with numerous teachers throughout their schooling, educators gain invaluable knowledge about parenting challenges.
Elena Nicolaou, a senior editor at “The Today Show,” shares her mother’s wisdom on appreciating children for who they are, not for who parents wish them to be.
The retired teacher advises against pushing children too hard, using an example of a strict parent from her school. Children often rebel against overly strict parents who they feel limit their freedom.
A good parent understands and nurtures their child’s true essence, rather than forcing them to conform to an idealized image.