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  • Deployed for Father's Day

    When one family member is enlisted, "the entire family serves, too." Younger members, trying to understand a parent's long absense or that empty chair on big holidays, make the biggest sacrifices.

  • The First Time My Wife and I Were Pregnant

    Having gone through it once before, there are some things I want to share with and warn my friends about, certain aspects of the whole pregnancy and childbirth thing that come solely from the male point of view. After a few discussions with some of my other friends who are already fathers, there are a few things we all agreed new fathers should know.

  • Helping New Dads Transition to Parenthood

    "It was hard for me to deal with my wife's total focus on our newborn. It seemed like our relationship no longer existed for her, and I felt useless with our baby." Rhona Berens offers guidelines that can help new dads make the transition to fatherhood

  • Empathy for a Father

    Many mothers say they wish their partner sympathized more with their situation. But the other side of the coin is also often true: that a father wishes his partner understood HIM more. Since one of the best ways to receive more understanding and consideration is to give it, let's take a moment to explore empathy for a father.

  • How Can Military Dads Stay Involved With Their Families?

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,
    My wife and I are expecting our first child. The problem is that I'm in the US Marine Corps on tour in Iraq. I have been here since the beginning of the pregnancy and I might not be there for the birth of our child.

    My wife is having a hard time doing this on her own and I feel that there's nothing I can do to support her. I'm reading your book, The Expectant Father, which I find very helpful. But do you know of any resources that are specifically aimed at military dads and/or their families?

  • Renewing Relationships When GI Dad Comes Home

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad: I've been deployed in Afghanistan for 13 months and am returning home next week. Being apart from my wife and children for so long has got me committed to making some major changes in my relationships with them. How easy will this be to do?

  • The First Month of Fatherhood

    Welcome to your first month of fatherhood! You have arrived home from the hospital proud, excited and perhaps a bit exhausted from the experience of childbirth. What's next?

  • Grow the Daddy-Baby Relationship Before Birth

    Bonding with baby is typically far easier for mom. For dads, however, that lack of physical awareness contributes to a greater challenge connecting with their little one while in utero. Still, it is very much possible.

  • The Laugh Track

    Somewhere in the traffic jam of the last year, I lost control of my favorite vehicle of parent-child bonding: Making my kids laugh. I became so wrapped up in the relentless responsibilities of life that my funny bone resembled a car wreck.

  • "The Lion Sleeps Tonight: A Father Writes to His New Baby"

    I will nurture and teach you. But, as with your brothers, I intend to help you thrive in an often-difficult society. That's why your mommy and I have named you Ari, which means "lion." It's our hope that you will grow strong and pounce on every opportunity to do well for yourself and others.

  • The First Time My Wife and I Were Pregnant

    Having gone through it once before, there are some things I want to share with and warn my friends about, certain aspects of the whole pregnancy and childbirth thing that come solely from the male point of view. After a few discussions with some of my other friends who are already fathers, there are a few things we all agreed new fathers should know.

  • Empathy for a Father

    Many mothers say they wish their partner sympathized more with their situation. But the other side of the coin is also often true: that a father wishes his partner understood HIM more. Since one of the best ways to receive more understanding and consideration is to give it, let's take a moment to explore empathy for a father.

  • Not Cut Out to Be a Parent

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,

    My baby is just 4 months old. I know that my wife expect me to be more actively involved in parenting stuff like playing, talking with my son, feeding, changing him and all that. However, I treasure my lifestyle and I don't exactly have a desire to be as involved as my wife. Well, she's pretty upset with me. What should I do? How do I get the desire to be an active parent?

  • "The Lion Sleeps Tonight: A Father Writes to His New Baby"

    I will nurture and teach you. But, as with your brothers, I intend to help you thrive in an often-difficult society. That's why your mommy and I have named you Ari, which means "lion." It's our hope that you will grow strong and pounce on every opportunity to do well for yourself and others.

  • When Men Become Fathers

    The opportunities for fathers to participate in the early years of their children's lives appear to be becoming more important to men today. In the father's group I facilitate, many of the men comment on how they never had any close contact with their own fathers, and how that has made them painfully aware of how important being present in their children's lives is. Others express that given the opportunity to choose between potential career advancement or spending time with their children, being with their kids feel like the more creative option.

  • The Laugh Track

    Somewhere in the traffic jam of the last year, I lost control of my favorite vehicle of parent-child bonding: Making my kids laugh. I became so wrapped up in the relentless responsibilities of life that my funny bone resembled a car wreck.

  • The Importance of Fathers

    There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading role in the lives of their children. They are the obvious heroes of child rearing. But what about a father's role?

  • Parenting 101: Being There

    Be there for your children after school when you can. Be there for your child at dinner five or six times a week (yes, five or six). Studies prove this one gesture lowers the incidence of underage drinking, drug use and other potentially harmful behaviors.

  • Pregnancy for Dads

    It isn't true that just because he isn't carrying the baby, the Daddy isn't vital to the pregnancy. From conception, there is only one Daddy, and he has a very big job to do.

  • Men Fall Pregnant Too! A Look at Couvade Syndrome

    It's true! Men also get symptoms of pregnancy, anything from tooth ache and back pains to swollen bellies and birthing pains.