DADS DESERVE THEIR DAY!

Tara Wilkins

Father’s Day certainly conjures up images of tacky ties, slogan mugs and overpriced cards. It has to be said, though, our daddies do deserve a day dedicated to them, they work hard, make sure we have a roof over our head and food in our bellies, until we can fend for ourselves that is – but we always know we’ll be daddy’s little girl.

For the sake of the children, a father has undoubtedly had to change his lifestyle; the free and easy living of their twenties disappears when there is a screaming bundle of joy on the way. Wayne Rooney talks of fatherhood as being “different and hard work, but a great feeling”; this is a very honest statement from the world class footballer, who is probably feeling the strain of being away in South Africa this Father’s Day.

But how highly do we really place our fathers for the other 364 days of the year? During pregnancy, it’s the woman’s needs and feelings that referred to most, but we should stop to think about the father as well - as this might be an equally stressful time for him too?

 They say it takes two to tango, well it also takes two to make a baby (most of the time) and both parents need to be nourished in preparation for the baby’s imminent arrival. Sadly fellas football can’t be your priority anymore, unless you’re Wayne Rooney of course.

So nine months have passed and your baby is born, you’ve never seen anything so cute! But from now until your child hits 18 it is your duty to raise a well mannered, respectful child; who can go out into the world and make something of themselves. Daunting? Yes, impossible? No.

There are many parenting books and DVDs for men who are experiencing the highs and the lows of parenting. The National Childbirth Trust is one organisation that has published booklets and DVDs to help make the adjustments into fatherhood easier.

Belinda Phipps, NCT Chief Executive, says: “NCT recognises men have different needs to women when it comes to becoming a parent and that dads need help too – all too often the focus is on the mother.

“ Our new resources are a must for any man who is about find out just what it means to become a dad. They’re frank, fair and realistically portray what being the father of a new baby is truthfully like.”

So ladies if you think your partner needs a little reassurance then it might be wise to point them in the direction of NCT’s material.

Father's Day Gift Ideas