Raising Kids Just for Dad Issues & Trends A Healthy Approach to Fatherhood The newest group to get dads more involved in childcare? Pediatricians. By Beth Turner Published on October 5, 2005 Share Tweet Pin Email Over the past three decades, fathers' roles in caring for their children have been expanded. A report appearing in the May, 2004 issue of Pediatrics suggests that pediatricians can be instrumental in helping to enhance dads' growing involvement. Research shows that fathers' interactions exert a powerful influence on their children's social, emotional, and cognitive development beginning at infancy. The long-term positive effects of fathers' direct involvement continues through childhood and adolescence. Today, more fathers are staying home with their children as more mothers choose to go to work. In addition, among men who do work, the average amount of time they spend with their children has increased in the past decade, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A father may be a biological, foster or adoptive father; he may be a stepfather, grandfather, teen father, father figure or coparent in a gay relationship. Father involvement stabilizes and promotes healthy family functioning, research shows. The AAP says pediatricians are uniquely positioned to enhance the father's involvement, since they are perceived as ideal teachers, role models, moral authorities, and supporters of families in the stage of the family life cycle at which men become fathers. Therefore, the AAP says pediatricians need to make some changes to accommodate and support fathers' expanding roles in their children's lives. Here are some of the changes parents may see as the result of their recommendations: Expanded office hours to accommodate working schedulesEncouragement of fathers to come in for at least one visit in an infant's first two monthsDirect conversation to the father as well as the other parenting partner; solicitation of his opinionsPolite exploration of the father's relationship to the other parents, his cultural traditions regarding parenting, and his personal beliefs about his role in caring for the childSensitivity to and informed about diverse cultural and ethnic values and customs, especially "traditional" father rolesWelcome attitude toward fathers at appointments; expression of appreciation for their attendanceReminders to the family that fathers are not just workers or breadwinners, and mothers are not just nurturers or primary child care providersReinforcement of the father's support of the mother's mental and physical health Whether you're a mom or dad, you may want to bring this up with your child's doctor. Maybe he or she can put some of these practices into effect. Some additional resources for dads from Parents.com: Copyright ? 2004; Parents.com Related Links: How Dads Juggle Work and Family Fatherhood: How Dads Bond Why Fatherhood Is Good for Your Health A Boot Camp for New Dads Resource Guide Just for Dads How to Choose a Pediatrician Message Board: All About Fatherhood Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit