119 Bank Street
Lodi, Ohio 44254
(330) 948-7777
Hours:
Mondays 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Wednesdays 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Fridays 4:00 - 8:00 pm
(earlier by appointment)
4196 Center Road
Brunswick, Ohio 44212
(330) 220-7777
Hours:
M / Tue / Th 11:00 - 5:00PM
Wed 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Fri 11:00 - 8:00PM
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The greatest time of development in children takes place before they are eight years old. To grow in these developmental skills, the mind of the child is curious, flexible and open. These are important years and what is learned becomes the foundation of other aspects that come later, such as gender understanding. Daddy’s are needed to help the child build their foundation of self as being valuable and protected. Children who grow up secure in their father’s love are comfortable in their own bodies and secure in their minds about who they are.
I marveled at my daughter’s courage as we waited for her plane to wisk her away to Spain for a summer of learning. Her response was that she “knew there was a secure home for her to return to and that gave her the courage to venture so far.”
A father who was attending one of our parenting classes said that he wanted to spend as much time with his children as possible while they're are still young because when they become teens they wouldn’t need him. Sadly many fathers agree with this dad. But the truth is that children (even when they move into adulthood) need their dads. The type of interaction changes with age, but the heart’s desire for a father-relationship never dies.
Father Tips
For fathers of young children:
- Embrace your child’s creativity and hyper-curious attitude
- See the world through the eyes of your child
- The world is a wonderful learning center full of surprises and wonders
- Open the door of your heart to listen to the joys, fears and celebrations of your child
- Encourage intellectual curiosity and physical activity
- Control your natural competitiveness and teach your child how to lose with grace
- Instead of focusing on winning, focus on skill mastery and enjoyment
- Doing things for the fun of doing them is more important than winning
Baby fun time (under 6 months):
- Make faces and see her/him laugh
- Blow lightly on their face
- Let them grip your finger and very gently stretch their arms
- Massage their feet and hands (touch their skin softly like melted butter) and be careful of that after 5 stubble on your face
- Sing and talk softly
- Begin bed time rituals – pray and say a blessing over your child
Six months to one year:
- Read picture books
- Play patty-cake
- Crawl on the floor together
- Pound on boxes
- Hide behind a pillow and pop up (just when the baby thinks you are gone and there you are again and many squeals of laughter usually occur)
Grade School Fun
- Develop a "Dad & Daughter Journal" and decorate
- Spend regularly scheduled time together
- Talk on the phone and see how their day went
- Play interactive games
- Check out the different museums – there are some great ones in Cleveland
- Join the zoo and adopt a animal together
- If you go to movies or watch videos make sure they promote good morals and standards; talk about what you watched
- Be involved in school – visit the teacher, take/pick them up, review their homework
- Know their friends – take them with their friends for ice cream or a special event
- Don’t forget their birthday and Christmas – know what they are interested in (they are often very willing to let you know) but focus on the relationship not the things
- Make a meal together
Teen Fun (some of the above may apply or continue well into the teen years):
- Ask them what they would like to do
- Interactive games
- Sports: play and help them practice their sport and attend their events
- Learn something new together: an instrument, language, art project
- Do something to help an elderly couple or person
- Short phone calls or messages on the phone, notes in their pockets
Daughters
- Send flowers for special occasions or even when just thinking of her;
- Don’t be afraid to hug (some dads change how they interact when their daughters start to develop – be wise)
Sons
- Cards and mail are enjoyed
- Put together or take apart something like a computer, motor
- Teach them manners, respect and how to act in public by taking them to different events
- Week-end camping trips: plan them together, invite others to join you
Remember that adult children still need their father’s love! You never stop being a Dad!
Wolverine and Me |
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