The U.S. Census Bureau on Dec. 5 reported that in nearly one-third of families with a working mother the father was the primary caregiver of their children under 15 indicating the continued growth of men embracing the role.
The number of fathers taking on this responsibility increased to 32 percent in 2010 from 26 percent in 2002, according to the report. That includes 29 percent of the 20 million children in the United States ages 5 and younger that are primarily cared for by their fathers.
Daddyshome, Inc., The National At-Home Dad Network believes this is a growing trend of involved fathers over recent years. “While it is possible that more men than otherwise would have are caring for children due to the recent recession, the trend over the last 10 years has been one of men taking on more responsibility with childcare, so, for me, this information is not a surprise," says Daddyshome, Inc. President Al Watts.
The increase of fathers as the primary caregivers show that dads are, more than ever, willing to take care of their children regardless of their economic situations.
"This may be a real positive step in families and communities. Fathers are becoming more involved with their children which studies have shown decreases drug abuse and teen pregnancy. If the recession is the cause of more men being home with their kids, the results may, in the long-run, be stronger families."
Hogan Hilling's "Pacifi(her)" Wins 2011 SheKnows Parenting Award
SheKnows.com has announced that Hogan Hilling’s parenting book, “Pacifi(her): What She’s Thinking When She’s Pregnant,” has won first place in the “Just for Dad: Books” category of the 2011 SheKnows Parenting Awards. The coveted award, which launched last year, recognizes outstanding products in the parenting and pregnancy industry based on functionality, quality and convenience. This year’s awards included more than 200 nominees in over 50 comprehensive sub-categories that covered everything from strollers and diaper bags to pregnancy essentials and organic baby food. Readers had one month to place their votes on the SheKnows Parenting Awards Web site. “Pacifi(her)” placed first amongst three other books that provide advice for new and expecting fathers.
Released in August 2011 by Turner Publishing Company, “Pacifi(her)” is an accessible guide for first-time dads designed to help them prepare for the common issues they will likely need to tackle and resolve during their wife’s pregnancy, from adjusting priorities to understanding the thoughts and behaviors of a pregnant woman. Hogan Hilling is also the author of “Rattled: What He’s Thinking When You’re Pregnant,” as well as “The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads: Ten Secrets Your Husband Won’t Tell You” and “The Man Who Would Be Dad.” He is also a Board Member At-Large of Daddyshome, Inc., and has appeared on Oprah, ABC’s The Story of Fathers and Sons and NBC’s The Other Half.
About Turner Publishing: Turner Publishing is an award-winning, independent publisher based in Nashville, Tennessee. Imprints include Turner, Iroquois, Ancestry.com and Fieldstone Alliance. For more information, visit TurnerPublishing.com.
Getting to the heart of what it really means to be a woman, SheKnows (www.sheknows.com) attracts more than 55 million unique visitors (Google Analytics, April 2011). With editors dedicated to providing daily content for women seeking advice, information and a fresh, fun take on life, the site is among the most authoritative and comprehensive sources for women ages 18 to 54.
The 16th Annual At-Home Dads Convention, making its first appearance in the Washington, D.C. area, drew 58 fathers, including 28 first-time attendees. Dads from 21 states from coast to coast attended the convention.
“Over the weekend I experienced an amazing sense of brotherhood and solidarity, and now I know I'm not alone,” first-time attendee Jonathan de Guzman from Sanford, N.C., said. “Very cool.”
Participants spent the day learning about how wives of at-home dads feel about their roles, finding ways to motivate their children, how to get a good workout while caring for the kids and ideas on forming a local dads group, among many other break-out session options.
Dr. Aaron Rochlen, an associate professor in counseling psychology at the University of Texas, provided the keynote address. Rochlen, who has published several studies on at-home fathers, shared much of the data he’s gathered over the years. That included a look into new research on what the spouses of at-home dads are really thinking.
That was followed by a breakout session led by Dr. Marianne Dunn, Rochlen’s partner and the lead researcher on the study of at-home dads’ wives study. Dunn, an assistant professor of counseling psychology at Towson University, shared quotes women gave in the study and led an open discussion on how it relates to the dynamic of an at-home dad family.
Dr. Rene Hackney provided some of the most popular discussions of the day leading “Developing Self-Esteem in Children” and “Discipline Techniques: Choices and Consequences.” Hackney, a parenting and child development specialist, who founded the D.C.-area Parenting Playgroups, answered numerous questions on issues fathers had in both areas and offered challenging ideas to help raise children.
There were also age-based discussion groups, ideas to become a better sports parent, ways to form safe routes to school and health and nutrition topics.
"This was my sixth convention and my favorite part is always meeting other at-home dads,” Daddyshome President Al Watts said. “So often society tries to tell us this reverse role is wrong somehow but being with other men who share my same values and talk openly and honestly about their passion for their children reminds me that I am not alone. I always leave energized to be better father."
The convention ended with the Daddyshome annual meeting where three new board members were elected. Bill Ekhardt of Des Moines, Iowa; Chad Welch of St. Peters, Mo.; and Greg Washington of Morrisonville, Wis., got the nod from their peers. Attendees also selected Denver as the site for the 2013 and 2014 conventions.
In addition to the convention, the weekend included a dad’s night out gathering in Alexandria on Thursday night; tours of D.C. during the day on Friday, which included a six-hour bike ride around historical sites in the city, and a closing dinner Saturday night at Joe Theismann’s Restaurant.
The 17th-Annual At-Home Dad Convention will return to the Washington, D.C., area, the weekend of Oct. 6, 2012.
