Best Things Fathers Do

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9 NIV). Fathers do things. The Father so loved us that He did something about it--He sent His Son. God has a plan to reveal Himself to the world through fathers and mothers. It is our greatest privilege to follow the example of a perfect Father, in turn, revealing Him to our sons and daughters and leaving a legacy that continues to grow for generations to come. Things Fathers Do is a book about the things that God does and how we, both men and women, can best manifest Him through our lives to the people around us. It is time for us to step into our roles as mothers and fathers, demonstrating to the world the things fathers do.

For too long, we've thought of fathers as little more than sources of authority and economic stability in the lives of their children. Yet cutting-edge studies drawing unexpected links between fathers and children are forcing us to reconsider our assumptions and ask new questions: What changes occur in men when they are "expecting"? Do fathers affect their children's language development? What are the risks and rewards of being an older-than-average father at the time the child is born? What happens to a father's hormone levels at every stage of his child's development, and can a child influence the father's health? Just how much do fathers matter? In Do Fathers Matter? the award-winning journalist and father of five Paul Raeburn overturns the many myths and stereotypes of fatherhood as he examines the latest scientific findings on the parent we've often overlooked. Drawing on research from neuroscientists, animal behaviorists, geneticists, and developmental psychologists, among others, Raeburn takes us through the various stages of fatherhood, revealing the profound physiological connections between children and fathers, from conception through adolescence and into adulthood—and the importance of the relationship between mothers and fathers. In the process, he challenges the legacy of Freud and mainstream views of parental attachment, and also explains how we can become better parents ourselves. Ultimately, Raeburn shows how the role of the father is distinctly different from that of the mother, and that embracing fathers' significance in the lives of young people is something we can all benefit from. An engrossing, eye-opening, and deeply personal book that makes a case for a new perspective on the importance of fathers in our lives no matter what our family structure, Do Fathers Matter? will change the way we view fatherhood today.

A one-of-a-kind collection of interviews, research, and personal experiences that detail the journey of fatherhood and the joys that come with it. Fathering is a full-time job. It’s no secret. Whether it’s an only child or a full house. Once you’re a father, it’s a lifetime commitment filled with something new to learn at every corner. In this helpful book, author and dad extraordinaire Will Glennon combine his personal experiences along with wisdom and insight from fathers near and far to provide the ultimate positive parenting guide. Raising children is no easy feat. Fathers are more involved than ever with daily care, teaching, and rearing of their children. Discover the role that you play in your child’s life with the Best Things Fathers Do. Learn to:Celebrate the best that Fatherhood offersDiscover the tools for raising children successfullyBuild close, powerful emotional bonds with your children Fatherhood is a gift. It’s time to enjoy and discover all that it has to offer with Best Things Fathers Do.

The perfect gift for Father's Day, this activity book is packed with fun ways for young boys and their dads to spend time together.Dads are famous for being fun, but even the most active father can use some new ideas! From concocting secret codes and crafting homemade musical instruments to camping out in the backyard and making personal pizzas, Come on, Dad! 75 Things for Father and Sons to Do Together features creative games and projects that will fill an afternoon with fun, and create lasting memories for young boys and their fathers. Each activity is accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions, a materials needed list, and suggestions on how to "make it easier" and "make it harder" depending on the age and ability of the child. Sample activities: Personal Pizzas, Paper Air Force, Time Capsule, Take it Apart, Family Story Collection, Math Olympics, Beach Memories, Obstacle Race, Recycled City, Personal Place Mats, Shopping Alphabet, Twirl Pictures, Leafy Fun.

A thoughtful and "utterly mind-blowing" exploration of fatherhood and masculinity in the 21st century (New York Times). There are hundreds of books on parenting, and with good reason—becoming a parent is scary, difficult, and life-changing. But when it comes to books about parenting identity, rather than the nuts and bolts of raising children, nearly all are about what it's like to be a mother. Drawing on research in sociology, economics, philosophy, gender studies, and the author's own experiences, Father Figure sets out to fill that gap. It's an exploration of the psychology of fatherhood from an archetypal perspective as well as a cultural history that challenges familiar assumptions about the origins of so-called traditional parenting roles. What paradoxes and contradictions are inherent in our common understanding of dads? Might it be time to rethink some aspects of fatherhood? Gender norms are changing, and old economic models are facing disruption. As a result, parenthood and family life are undergoing an existential transformation. And yet, the narratives and images of dads available to us are wholly inadequate for this transition. Victorian and Industrial Age tropes about fathers not only dominate the media, but also contour most people's lived experience. Father Figure offers a badly needed update to our collective understanding of fatherhood—and masculinity in general. It teaches dads how to embrace the joys of fathering while guiding them toward an image of manliness for the modern world.

“Like the YouTube channel, this is a touching yet informative guide for those seeking fatherly advice, or even a few good dad jokes.” — Library Journal

Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It's no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves. The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family. It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.

Across the political spectrum, unwed fatherhood is denounced as one of the leading social problems of today. Doing the Best I Can is a strikingly rich, paradigm-shifting look at fatherhood among inner-city men often dismissed as "deadbeat dads." Kathryn Edin and Timothy J. Nelson examine how couples in challenging straits come together and get pregnant so quickly--without planning. The authors chronicle the high hopes for forging lasting family bonds that pregnancy inspires, and pinpoint the fatal flaws that often lead to the relationship's demise. They offer keen insight into a radical redefinition of family life where the father-child bond is central and parental ties are peripheral. Drawing on years of fieldwork, Doing the Best I Can shows how mammoth economic and cultural changes have transformed the meaning of fatherhood among the urban poor. Intimate interviews with more than 100 fathers make real the significant obstacles faced by low-income men at every step in the familial process: from the difficulties of romantic relationships, to decision-making dilemmas at conception, to the often celebratory moment of birth, and finally to the hardships that accompany the early years of the child's life, and beyond.