A world without dads

Reflections on a world without dads - a mum's perspective.

What will this world be if we didn’t have dads. There won’t be anyone to reassure you and hold you when things go wrong nor would there be anyone for the sons to go for the games with or to show off the daughter in pride.

Podcast - Susan Hutson for Bizymoms.com

A Podcast hosted on International Dad featuring show hosts Scott Lancaster and co-hosts Eric Mooij and Stefan Korn from DIYFather.com.

Today’s guest is Susan Hutson - Community Director for Bizymoms.com

Let go of the reins and let fathers be

Even before our children were born Al and I had always wanted to be equal as parents. We were lucky that both of us were home for the first few months of our first daughter's life. Even though I was very clear in my mind that I wanted both of us to be involved and equal - and we knew that I would have to go back to work and he would stay home with her - I found I had to bite my tongue when he did things differently from what I thought was the "right" way.

Marriage will only ever be what you put into it

I don’t know what your marriage looks like, but the reality is that there will be a huge number of people who hear this who are all set to throw in the towel – half of all marriages in this country end in divorce. The state of the other half of marriages will look like patch-work quilt … some great, some not so great.

Communicator & author, Walt Larimore says that when he and his wife buy a wedding present for friends, that they give them a box … a very beautiful, but empty box. In it, they put these words:
“Most people who get married believe a myth – they believe that marriage is a beautiful box filled with all the things they’ve longed for - they believe that it is filled with companionship, sexual fulfilment, intimacy and friendship. The truth is that marriage at the start is an empty box, you must put something in before you can take something out.

If you’d never met her

Take a few minutes today and jot down how dramatically different your life would be if you had never met your wife. Of course your kids would not exist, you would still be dressing like a mad scientist and your culinary skills would consist of spaghetti every night. But also talk about all the things you treasure that only she can bring. The things no one else knows about.

Put a note on her pillow tomorrow or tape it on the front door on your way out. Just another little way to say “thank you” to your best friend.

To learn the art of writing notes to your wife, click here.

Posted with permission from www.allprodad.com

Five things girls would like to see in their fathers

Have you realized the most important thing in a young girl’s life? It is her FATHER!

A father carves the way for their daughter’s lives, and when a father strengthens and rebuilds his bond with his daughter, it shapes her life and his for the better. But how ever much a father loves his daughter if he doesn’t realize what a girl child usually expects of him, his relationship would be strained.

Girls seek for a sense of protection and safety from their fathers. They feel that fathers should be available when needed. The real value of a father in a girl’s life is that it is from fathers that girls learn about males in the world;

Happy Mother's Day

A Happy Mother's Day to all the women that made us boys and to the women that turned us into father's

And a very special Mother's Day to all the first time mother's, hope you enjoy your special day, that includes our partners.

Warm Regards

- The DIYFather team

What’s a Mother to Do?

Posted with permission from www.vision.org

Of all the difficulties single mothers face, the most distressing one may involve coming to grips with the current understanding about fathers. Fatherhood is no longer seen as being merely a biological or economic role for men. But as research continues to reinforce the fact that men make unique and vital contributions to their children’s lives, there is no getting around the reality that some families must function without them. When this happens, must single mothers and their children be shortchanged, or can a single mother raise happy, healthy children? According to the Gurian Institute’s training director, Kathy Stevens, they certainly can—and she should know. Stevens, who raised two sons as a single mother, has coauthored several books on children’s needs. She recently spoke to Vision about what a single mother can do to make up for a missing father in her child's life.

The Single Parent Controversy

Posted with permission from familymatters.vision.org

Does family research stigmatize single mothers and their children?

Before we finish talking about singles, it seems appropriate to consider the particular challenges of single parents. If I revert to using the term "single mothers" more often than not, it's only because single parents tend to be mothers more often than not.

The most common accusations made against "family restorationists" have to do with political and economic concerns. For instance, in an essay titled "Politics of Family Structure," author and family scholar Arlene Skolnik says that—although there are some "family restorationists" who aren't trying to introduce drastic legislation—most of them:

The effects of Abortion on men

This is from a Catholic newspaper of which I believe it’s important to hear both sides of the story. I haven’t personally had any dealings with an abortion from a fathers point of view, but what I do believe in is making decisions that are right for you and your partner at the time. If this is committing something that other people feel very strongly against such as abortion – as this can be a very heated topic then so be it.

If you have been through abortion as a male please let me know what your experiences were like!!

- Scott

“Forgotten piece of the equation”
San Francisco conference to examine effects of abortion on men

A conference that promotes itself as the “first to focus on the effects of abortion on men” will be held Nov. 28-29 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.