Stuff Every Dad Should Know

1. Start saving for college early and consistently

Start small and start now.

Begin immediately. Open a college savings account as soon as your child is born. Start with whatever you can afford, even if it's just $1 or $2 per day. Increase your contributions over time, especially when you receive bonuses or unexpected windfalls.

Explore options. Around your child's fifth birthday, consult a financial advisor about 529 savings plans, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. These investment vehicles can help grow your college fund more quickly.

• 529 savings plans:
  • Pre-paid tuition plans: Lock in tuition costs at eligible institutions
  • College savings plans: Cover all qualified higher-education expenses
  • Tax benefits: Contributions are often exempt from federal and state taxes

2. Master essential baby care skills for bonding and safety

Holding and comforting your child is the most basic form of bonding.

Learn proper techniques. Master essential skills like holding, diaper changing, bathing, feeding, and burping your baby. These tasks not only ensure your child's safety and comfort but also create opportunities for bonding.

Be prepared. Stock a diaper bag with essentials:

• Age-appropriate formula, food, and snacks
• Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
• Extra clothes
• Toys and pacifier
• Personal items: camera, cell phone, wallet

Support your partner. Be a hands-on dad, participate in daily care routines, and give your partner opportunities to rest and recharge.

3. Encourage healthy eating habits and outdoor play

Choose whole fruits or 100-percent fruit juice, which is typically lower in sugar than other juices.

Promote nutritious choices. Establish good eating habits early by offering healthy options and being a positive role model.

• Choose:
  • Skim or fat-free milk
  • Whole fruits and 100% fruit juices
  • Low-sugar cereals
  • Whole grain breads
  • Baked or roasted foods instead of fried

Encourage outdoor activities. Provide a range of options to make outside play more appealing than screen time. Invite friends, join community sports, or develop shared hobbies like weekend kite-flying or nature walks.

4. Foster independence through age-appropriate responsibilities

Start young, and start small.

Introduce chores gradually. Assign age-appropriate tasks to teach responsibility and contribute to household management.

• Young children: Make beds, clean up toys
• Older children: Set the table, put away laundry
• Preteens and teenagers: Take out garbage, grocery shop, rake leaves

Teach and appreciate. Demonstrate how to perform tasks correctly, work together initially, and show appreciation for their efforts. Consider providing an allowance for older children to teach the value of money and hard work.

5. Navigate challenging conversations about sex, drugs, and peer pressure

Address the question when it's asked.

Be open and honest. Have ongoing conversations about sensitive topics like sex, drugs, and alcohol. Use proper terminology, answer questions truthfully, and provide age-appropriate information.

Prepare for peer pressure. Discuss potential scenarios and practice responses. Emphasize personal responsibility, trust, and the importance of making individual choices.

Stay informed. Keep up with your child's social circle and school environment to better understand the challenges they face.

6. Develop strong relationships with teachers and support academic growth

Your child's success at school will benefit enormously from your involvement.

Engage with educators. Attend school events, participate in parent-teacher conferences, and maintain open communication with teachers. Respect their time and expertise while advocating for your child's needs.

Support learning at home. Discuss progress regularly with both your child and their teachers. Help with homework, provide a conducive study environment, and encourage a positive attitude towards education.

7. Teach safe driving practices and handle first accidents calmly

Stay calm. Assuming that everyone is unharmed, then everything else will be able to be fixed and set to right.

Provide comprehensive instruction. Teach driving skills systematically, starting with basic controls and progressing to highway driving. Emphasize safety, responsible decision-making, and the importance of following traffic laws.

Handle incidents constructively. If your child experiences an accident or receives a ticket, remain calm and use it as a learning opportunity. Listen to their explanation, reinforce safety principles, and help them regain confidence behind the wheel.

8. Maintain open communication and bond with your teenager

There's no such thing as "the talk"; as you've read in this book, the dialogue is ongoing and starts as early as curiosity dictates.

Continue conversations. Build on earlier discussions about sensitive topics like sex, adjusting the content to be age-appropriate and addressing new concerns as they arise.

Find common ground. Engage in activities that allow you to bond with your teen, such as:

• Attending sporting events or concerts together
• Cooking or trying new restaurants
• Learning a new skill or hobby as a team
• Volunteering for a cause you both support
• Planning and taking a road trip

By maintaining open communication and shared experiences, you can strengthen your relationship with your teenager during this crucial period of growth and independence.

Last updated: July 31, 2024