1of8's Giggly Smacker-Goop-Gobstopper Titchy-Top-Dollar-Book Recommendations and Other Stuff

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Men, don't worry every hour counts!

Advocating for the Rights and Needs of Children and Young People;

"Male role models - every child needs them!"

 

(Note still to come Part 1: Dad Blue, Still Cool? Help Reduce the Stigma and Part 2: Dad Blue, Still Cool? Help Reduce the Stigma)

 

Even if it's a few hours a day or week remember that every hour counts! Children need woman and men to model their lives after.

Many times the importance of the Mom in a child's life is heavily referred to or spoken of...
http://www.fun-learning-activities-for-children.com/image-files/literature_storytime.jpg
...without any due reference to the extremely important role of the child's Dad, Grandfather, Uncle or other male role model.

Of course the importance of motherhood can never be underestimated in today's society.

But where are the stories and encouragement that men need to hear of how important it is for a child to have a strong male role model that is interested in investing time with children? Despite what is said about gender equality today, mothers are generally more careful and protective of their children. But where is the child who will have memory's forever of the adventures and rollicks that only a male role model can give?



http://www.calmigranted.org/courses/TABE/readingwithchildren.jpg

I definitely did not write this blog post to make the many wonderful single parents feel guilty about what-they-haven't-done for their children. For I have seen many cases where an extremely dedicated single parent has done a far better job than many 'traditional' modal families that haven't put as much exerted thought, time and effort into bringing up their children as these wonderful single mothers.

The reason why I wrote this post was because I want to give any men role models any spark of resilience, hope or courage that will help keep them giving themselves out for the children they come into contact with. Through a young child's eye any older teenage boy is a 'man' if he can do a 'man's' work like mowing the lawn. Young girls enjoy a male primary caregivers time and if they don't have a Dad they'll wonder and dream what it would be like to have a father of their own. Young boys wonder what they will be one day, and if they don't have a Dad at home they quite often look to the man that they are closest to whether it be their own Dad every other weekend, a well-loved brother, grandfather, uncle or even a teacher or caregiver to help them decide what makes 'de man'.

I have noticed the extremely important influence...

...which an older brother can have on a sibling...

http://hutchison.euroteamoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/RECENT-003.JPG http://www.law-of-attraction-parenting.com/image-files/infant-and-brother-reading.jpg

http://www.pennypickles.net/penny_pickles/uploaded_images/DSC05877-728524.JPG  http://www.alldrycleaningsystems.com/images/brother_and_sister_reading_book.png





...a grandfather or Uncle can have on his grandchildren or nephews and nieces...



http://sde.state.ok.us/Curriculum/CurriculumDiv/Reading/images/papa.jpg

http://www.medicalleader.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/grandfather-and-child.jpg


...and a man can have on a child.

http://www.ugandamissionacti.com/man%20and%20children.JPG

http://www.interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org/development/images/hugging.jpg



http://images.whereilive.com.au/images/uploads/2011/01/28/4127b34389f05e4801f8f397fbf6fcd3_resized.jpg


But if a young impressionable child has no male attachment figure living with the family or regularly seen...


http://media.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/photo/picture-018jpg-249b56e4824de43e_large.jpg


... it is always enhances the 'development of the whole child' if a child looks up to a male role model willing to foster feelings of safety, security and attachment and model and foster ownership of mulitcultural appropriate values, roles, and behaviour.

If you're a single parent out there who worries that you only see your child once a week or that your child does not have daily contact with a father, grandfather, uncle or similar role model, don't worry...

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SYc8Ta6u9mPc1Kx6ueHPPE8_HBLN0jGtLhXhRmdZ3IzC4gYSoKc_b_wQKhOhrpr7QmjUlPRlRIqmnhrgV_qa3DLn9r_OX7RQP7vKXL2zcXARl-tdjZsfoYV-ZfPQS3b-wYtWG_r0ONS0/s1600/dan-noah-pearce-playing-dad-father-child.jpg

...Every hour a child has with another male figure with values, roles, behaviour, or skills to model makes a difference!  In the end its frequent quality in interactions not quantity of time that truly makes an impact on children.

For Dad's - Give your Child a Dadificate (and it's free of course)!
For Dad's - Searching for more resources or information to help you: Remember to ask for more information at your child's child care centre or other local community groups or services such as the local doctor, local library, or other local services offered near you. Local libraries usually run programs for children during the weekends or holidays. Remember that it's okay to ask if you cannot find the information you are looking for by contacting or researching through the local community services offered near you, they might know of other community groups or services that you don't know of yet!

Support links specifically for fathers or men working with children:



Support links for parent/s and those working with children (of all ages):
  • Parentline (Queensland and Northern Territory)   "We provide support, counselling and parent education for the cost of a local call*. Call 1300 30 1300 from 8am-10pm, 7 days a week." http://www.parentline.com.au/

*Parentline operates in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Mobile phone charges apply. If you live in other areas of Australia, find out contact details of Parentline in your state.
Other Helpline Services (Parentline for other States http://www.parentline.com.au/getting-help/who-else-can-help/other-helpline-services.php)



Support links for parent/s and those working specifically with older children with disabilities or health needs:
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