Last week, I read about the importance of kids’ playtime with their dads in the article entitled Parenting Advice: Why Kids Need their Dads. Fatherly play proved to have a lot of developmental benefits, specially for male kids.

Research shows that physical engagement–like wrestling, roughhousing (when not carried to an extreme) and warm, playful interaction–helps boys learn to regulate and control their behavior, deal with a range of emotions, and adapt to a variety of situations.

During playtime, a child is given the chance to observe his father’s facial expressions and variations in movement, and eventually, will help the child become a ‘good manager of emotions.’

According to authors Jim and Charles Fay, roughhousing teaches your kids that you love them, that you’re strong enough to control them, and that you won’t control them unless it’s necessary. Your kids learn that you’re powerful, and kind
and gentle at the same time.

Vito and daddy during playtime:

I am very thankful that I was blessed with a husband who values quality time with our son. He makes it a point to let Vito hang on to him while he’s doing pull-ups. They also do some baby yoga. During Vito’s swimming, his dad also guides him through the water even if he isn’t a swimmer himself. Those are just a few endearing things my husband does.

I am glad to see Vito enjoying every moment he has with his dad. Each time I see them having fun, I cannot help but smile.

“Oh God, thank you for these life moments.”

This entry was posted on Monday, May 28th, 2007 at 9:10 am and is filed under Tips, Marriage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.