Is the economy killing fatherhood?

PositionSociology

"It used to sting me when I was working hard at building my business and I'd hear my kids talking about me. One would ask the other to see if I had time to play with them, and the other would tell him not to bother, because he knew I'd be too busy. It was like a knife in my heart. With the economy as light as it is, I know that I'm not the only father with the same issue.

"These days, many fathers are either unemployed and working hard to find work or they are working two jobs or more just to make ends meet. Either they don't have much time for family, or they just aren't in the mood for family because they are despondent or feeling helpless as a provider," explains Tom Watson, author of Man Shoes: The Journey to Becoming a Better Man, Husband& Father.

Watson's tips for dads in a tough economy include:

Share time. Do not "spend time" with your kids, because that term makes it sound like you are giving away lime that you could be using for other things. Share time with them, because sharing indicates that you both get something out of that time. It is important for your kids to know that you are not paying attention to them out of obligation, but rather because you need to be with them as much as they need to be with you.

Make a schedule. Stability and security are important to children, so set up a lime every week that is just for them, and do your best to make that time on your calendar immovable. Give them something they can look forward to on a regular basis and it will show them how important they are to you.

A little time is better than...

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