The below suggestions come from the
book Educating The Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson,
and we think their right on!
All Pro Dads, you know your wife is
happy when you…
·
Initiate and lead regular planning
times with your wife, without the children (and you plan the baby-sitter!).
·
Take the kids regularly for several
hours on planned, meaningful outings…i.e., take them away (see below). Taking them to the Chick-fil-A
Playground while you have coffee and read the paper does not qualify as an
outing. Your wife wants to know that the time will be more than just
babysitting.
·
Assist with the "Uppers"
whenever possible, and be sensitive to the "Downers."
·
Defend and protect your wife's time
boxes against time consumers (people, distractions, children, calls, etc.).
·
Plan in time boxes to be with
your children during the day and the week, especially when it gives your wife
free time, or when it makes her tasks easier (such as while she is preparing
dinner).
·
Budget in your heart and mind (and
checkbook) for paid household help, if you are able, especially when your
children are young. Anyhelp goes a long
way.
·
prepare an arsenal of ideas that you
can do with the children on a moment's notice (see below).
·
are sensitive to the end of the day
stress level, planning ahead to take control of the kids at the end of the day
even when you are tired.
Do-Dads:
Activities Dad can do with the kids to
give Mom time alone.
Big Times (outings):
·
Take them to the park.
·
Take them to a nature center.
·
Take them to a lake or beach area.
·
Take them to a museum.
·
Ride bikes in the country with them.
·
Take them on a mini field trip.
·
Go on a hike with them.
·
Go swimming with them.
·
Take them to the library reading time.
·
Play tennis with them.
·
Take them to special events.
·
Take them to seasonal festivals.
Little Times (innings):
·
Read books to them.
·
Play a game with them.
·
Throw a ball or shoot baskets with
them.
·
Take a walk around the block with them.
·
Teach them something.
·
Clean up the yard together.
·
Make a tent with them.
·
Build something with them.
·
Give them "driving" lessons.
·
Play table tennis with them.
·
Overhaul bicycles (clean, tighten,
etc.) together.
Dad-Dates
Every child needs individual time with
Dad. Plan regular times to take each child on a "date" to be together
and talk about life.
·
Go out for breakfast, child's choice of
restaurant, even if it's the donut shop. Go as early as possible to make it
more special.
·
Go to a favorite park, playground, or
outdoor area. Take a picnic meal or snack. Play and talk.
·
With sons, plan an overnight campout.
With daughters, plan a dress up night out for dinner.
·
Take them for a special shopping trip.