Pull out the red and yellow cards
Fathers have a special function of regulation and guidance and can call the shots clearly around discipline. Kids like order and discipline especially boys and feel safe and secure knowing that dad has matters in hand.

Protect
Protect and care for children. Most cases of child abuse, contrary to the media have absent fathers, and the absent father has often made an attempt to warn about abuse. People may even pick on children who don't have fathers to abuse them. Protecting is also about watching for their stress and happiness and making sure that the small things like sibling rivalry are attended to as well.

Praise and affirm
Children need dads praise and affirmation. Praise coming from a man is important for giving confidence in being and dealing with males in a persons life. A daughter who knows she is valued, beautiful and brilliant in a fathers eyes can call the shots with men from that base. A boy gains confidence from dad's affirmation and can walk tall when he is with men without being dependant on women.

Play
Fathers play differently and children prefer the way that they play. They play robustly and physically and often generate noise, excitement and risk. Children need this. Wrestle with boys. It assures and calms them afterwards. Be adventurous and get outdoors.

Pull the wallet out
Children need more than one income and fathers work is often the main supply especially when they are small. Poverty causes social problems. There can be no doubt that having that bit more money to create security and opportunity counts. Let them know that you need to be appreciated though and that you are not just a walking wallet, but a giving person.

Warwick Pudney, 2007

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