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Dad's
Initiative Mission Statement:
Georgia
PTA Dad's Initiative mission is to enhance positive relationships
between fathers and their children and encourage cooperative parenting
by educating, empowering and encouraging fathers to stay actively
involved in their children's lives.
Children
that are raised with involved, responsible and committed fathers
do better in school, life and in work. The Dad's Initiative program
works to educate and encourage dads across the state of Georgia
to be the best dads they can be!
Dads
make a tremendous difference in the lives of their children!
Some
dads communicate high expectations, and their children struggle
to feel accepted and appreciated because nothing ever quite measures
up.
These dads might inadvertently communicate that their love is conditional:
"If you keep practicing, maybe next year you'll win first place."
They may actually be proud of their children, but they can't express
it positively. Somehow, a simple compliment isn't enough. They feel
a need always to add a point of instruction. "That was great,
son, but next time do this or that." Their children learn that
love has strings attached.
Still,
expectations can motivate children to reach high achievements. Dad,
here are five suggestions for using expectations in a positive way:
First, list the expectations you have for your children in areas
like school, sports, behavior, and so on. As objectively as you
can, look at each one and ask, "Is this expectation realistic?
Is it too easy or too difficult?" Then ask this tough question:
"Does my child feel like he has to excel to earn my love?"
Second, dad, communicate your expectations positively. Instead of
relaying the message, "You must do this ...," give your
child lots of "You can do this" messages.
Third, be aware of your children's strengths, weaknesses, interests
and dreams. One of the great dangers of fathering is molding your
children into your own image instead of helping them discover who
they have been created to be. But a healthy awareness of your children
will help you avoid that common fathering mistake.
Fourth, be a reliable model. When you demonstrate the behavior that
you expect from your children, the limits and expectations you place
on them make more sense. They know that, when you lay out certain
rules for them to follow, you also live by that standard.
Finally, love your child no matter what. A child who's appreciated
and accepted for who he is -- regardless of his performance -- won't
feel pressure, but freedom. He'll have the self-esteem and confidence
to excel.
Georgia
PTA Dad's Initiative Goals:
- Educate
- Fathers, public, social services agencies and professionals
- Empower
- Fathers to be involved, committed and responsible
- Encourage
- Father-child relationships, cooperative parenting and equality
- Eliminate
- Father's absence in children's lives and bias towards fathers
- Expand
- Reach out to Fathers in need (low income, minority, incarcerated,
isolated) and help father-child interactions/relationships
- Enrich
a man's experience as a Dad
and the lives of children
Resources
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