Being actively involved as a parent can significantly impact your child in many ways. Research confirms that kids with actively involved fathers are 43% more likely to excel in school and 33% less likely to repeat a grade. If you’re a working father with many responsibilities, understandably, making time for the family you’re working hard to support is hard. But that’s not enough reason to miss out on your children’s lives and the memories you could share. So here are some things you can do to spend more time with your little ones.
Involve your child in your household chores
You may have to work on a home repair project, fix an issue with your car, mow the lawn, or tend to your garden. Involve your kids in these home activities as a creative way to spend time with them. Many skilled adults today credit their fathers for the handyman tricks and hacks they know because they spend time with them. Your kids can learn much about responsibility early while you equip them with the know-how to fix basic things around the home.
Involve them in your hobbies
Do you have hobbies or things you do to relax? Involve your kids in them. For example, after a busy day at work, you’ll likely want to relax, grab a bottle of beer, and catch up on your favorite sports. But instead of spending time alone, invite your kids to watch your favorite sports with you. It’s even a wonderful opportunity to explain your hobby to your kids and get them involved while bonding with them. You can take advantage of sport streaming sites to ensure you don’t miss any live games while spending time with your kids.
This can be an excellent way to intrigue them about sports and motivate them to play sports themselves. Stephen Troese Jr highlights the importance of sports at the junior level and how it can impact your happiness later in life. It is vital for you as a parent to be patient with your kids and answer any questions they might have, no matter how silly the questions might seem. Remember, they are curious and learning is super important for their development.
Track your child’s daily activities
Perhaps you’re always on the road as a father, with only a few moments to spend physically with your kids. It’s still possible to remain involved in their daily activities and growth by keeping track and checking in as often as possible. Thanks to technology, you can (and need to) know what your kids do daily without being physically present. Video calls at home can keep you in contact with them, even if it’s only for a few minutes each day. You can see your child take their first walk or say their first words (hopefully, ‘dada”). Also, consider keeping their teachers’ contacts on you and call to check in on them during school days.
Find alternative income streams
According to a recent survey, 62% of dads cite work obligations as the main reason for being away from their kids. The main reason for working is to earn money. Therefore, consider creating alternative revenue streams to supplement your income. Consider online or remote jobs you can do at home, or find out if you can create a more flexible schedule. Investing or starting a home-based business is another way to create alternative income streams and spend time with your kids.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
