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Fathers

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• Additional Resources

A father's presence is as important to a child's healthy development as is the mother's, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Fathers play an important role in many areas of their children's lives:

• Research has shown that children who have a father or a father figure who is actively involved in their lives do better in school, get in less trouble, and attain higher levels of education and economic success.
• A father's behavior has a major impact on his child's behavior. The less time fathers live with their children, the more behavioral problems their children may display.
• During their school-age years, fathers are important to both boys and girls in terms of sex-role identity — especially for boys who identify more with their fathers than their mothers. And, although many children say they consider their fathers to be stricter than their mothers, they also appear to respond more readily to the system of "rewards and punishments" that fathers tend to use.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Family and Medical Leave Act — FAQ Advisor — This publication provides information regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act. It includes a list of the most frequently asked questions.

   http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/fmla/faq.asp

2.   Girlshealth.gov: For Parents and Caregivers — We have created the girlshealth.gov site to help adolescent girls (ages 10-16) learn more about some of the unique health issues and social situations they will encounter during the teen years. The Parent/Caregiver section provides resources and links to helpful information for you, to help you prepare to deal with some of the issues your girls will likely face.

   http://www.girlshealth.gov/parents/

3.   Healthy Start, Grow Smart: Newborn through 12-month old [English Kit] — This kit includes all 13 books in the Healthy Start, Grow Smart series. They provide detailed information to parents about important issues in caring for the health and development of their baby in the first year of his or her life.

   http://www.ntis.gov/cms/index.aspx

4.   The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children - Tips for Dads — This publication provides resources and tips to help you be a better father.

   http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/fatherhood/append_e.cfm

5. 10 Ways to Be a Better Dad (Copyright © National Fatherhood Initiative) — This publication lists 10 things dads can do to be a better father.

   https://www.fatherhood.org/10ways.asp

6. A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This publication provides information for parents on ways they can communicate and interact with their child during the difficult adolescent years.

   http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/adolescence.html

7.   Dads & Kids: 5 Things Men Can Do to Stay Involved (Copyright © Men's Health Network) — This online publication lists steps that fathers can take to be more effective parents.

   http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/5thingsmen0502.pdf

8. Parenting Tips (Copyright © AAFP) — This fact sheet provides advice and tips on overcoming some common challenges in parenting.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/368.html

9. Parents Key to Reducing Teen Driver Crashes (Copyright © AAP) — This publication provides information for parents on how they can help their teens drive safely.

   http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/dec06teendriver.htm

10. Sex Education: Talking to Your Teen About Sex (Copyright © MFMER) — This fact sheet will help you as a parent talk to your teens about sex, and discuss issues like dating, abstinence, and date rape.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sex-education/CC00032

11. Talking To Your Child About Puberty (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This publication features information about when and how to discuss puberty with your child.

    http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/talk_about_puberty.html

12. What Is the Father's Role in the Breastfeeding Relationship? (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication gives information on how the father of the baby can support and be involved in the breastfeeding relationship.

    http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/dad.html

Organizations

1.   Promoting Responsible Fatherhood
2. Boys and Schools
3. Father's Network
4. KidsHealth®
5. National Fatherhood Initiative
6. Nemours Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources