Many Dads want to “step up with their hearts” and “actively parent,” says Maggie Dent, Australian parenting author and host of The Good Enough Dad and Parental As Anything podcasts. 

“They want to know how to do it well,” she says, noting that most dads have little experience caring for (or interacting with!) children prior to becoming a parent. Moms, though, often unconsciously interfere with dads’ parenting efforts by criticizing fathers or insisting that dads follow their parenting directives.

“If you keep telling a boy or a man they’re ‘doing it wrong,’ they’ll just stop,” Maggie says. “Moms have to let go a bit. You’ve got to step back.”

Dads need time to figure out parenting too. They need space to make mistakes (& discoveries!) And they need to know that we value their contributions.

Boys (and girls and nonbinary children) do best when dads are involved. Building up dads benefits boys!

In this episode, Jen, Janet, & Maggie discuss:

• Changing expectations for dads
• Maternal gatekeeping
• Creating “team parent”
• How dads support one another
• Using “dad dates” to connect with your kids
• Supporting dads

Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode:

MaggieDent.com — Maggie’s website (LOTS of good stuff here, including a link to her podcast, Parental as Anything, and links to her courses & books)

The Good Enough Dad — podcast hosted by Maggie

Dads Matter (w Marion Hill) — ON BOYS episode

Dads, Boys, & Masculinity — ON BOYS episode

Maggie Dent on How to Motivate Boys — 2022 ON BOYS episode

Maggie Dent: What Teenage Boys Really Need — 2020 ON BOYS episode

Maggie Dent on Mothering Boys (Part 1) — ON BOYS episode

Maggie Dent on Mothering Boys (Part 2) — ON BOYS episode

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