quick clicks

dads today articles

dads today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Romancing the Baby

Become an Involved Dad From Day One

By I.J. Schecter

Virtually any interactive activity helps a baby make meaningful cerebral connections, spurring his intelligence, but no toy ever invented can substitute for Mom or Dad. Dedicating time to live interplay will promote critical neural development and let your partner know you aspire to be more than the resident clown.

Next time you feel like depositing the baby on his floor mat so you can watch football highlights, suppress the urge. Play with the baby instead. Move your finger slowly back and forth across his face so he can practice tracking, or sing a tune and watch her derive pleasure from the sound of the melody.

"Despite my musical deficiencies, my kids loved my singing and humming as I rocked them to sleep once my wife had finished nursing and then fallen asleep herself," says Howard Lindo, father of two from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Your musical interaction doesn't have to be direct to be effective. "Even though [the baby] was usually in Heather's physical care during the evenings, I appointed myself musical director, making sure there was always something playing – whether [it was] Count Basie, Chopin or even one of my old Duran Duran records – so she'd be exposed to different music early on," says Andrew Weir, a father of one from Toronto. "It helped me feel like I was contributing to her development."

"The basic challenge you face is not changing diapers or comforting a crying baby, but working with your wife to form a new family," says Bishop. The powerful vibe between mother and child can unnerve even the hardiest of men, and dads frequently find themselves slinking out of the room rather than stepping up to assist.

"Often, it is those times when you think Mom doesn't want you around that help would be most appreciated," says Dr. Stephanie Gerstein, a parent involvement specialist from Toronto.

Want to see more?

• Start a diary.
• Seeing through Mommy's Eyes: How Dads Can Beat 7 Common New Parent Stressors
• Dad's New Role: Should a Worried Father-to-be Share His Concerns?
• Talk about it!
• Family Energy Magazine

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.