FATHERS - Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do?

Although most of what we talk about is the importance of Mother, we cannot ignore the tremendous impact of the Father on the mental health of the child. From his participation in the labor room to nourishing the Mother and nurturing her through her caretaking period, he can be the Giver to she who has to Give to her infant. Remembering that it is a system, each part has to play an important role. Today we discussed how roughhousing with your child teaches them good boundaries, and stimulates their cognitive ability to learn. Mother represents the "inside" world, or safety of the womb and safety of soothing, while Father represents the "outside world" of stimulation and fun. Together Mother and Father create a complete system to hold the baby in a safe and nurturing environment, when all is well. Absent fathers create insecurity, stress, and children reared with lack of a father figure role model are more likely to act out and turn to gangs and delinquency. Today we Shrunk the Tune: "Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin (He even admitted that this song scared him.)