Where do fathers fit in the scheme of attachment parenting. Father’s can’t breasfeed, but virtually any other child related task, is fair game.

I was amused recently, when out with my Grandmother, and she saw a young dad, pushing his infant in a pram.

“Oh look how lovely, he’s babysitting for Mum” quipped my grandmother.

The comment irked me somewhat, as the dad was clearly an involved father, and taking an active interest in his child’s upbringing. Not simply “babysitting”

So what define’s an involved or attached father? In my book, an attached father, is a dad who takes an active and real interest in the day to day activities of their child. For example, and they’re mundane activities:

•  Nappy Changes
• Bath Time
• Feeding (when solids are introduced)
• An active interest in supporting breastfeeding
• Reading and research into parenting techniques
• Reading and playing with the child
• Taking an active role in health care choices, such as vaccination, and nutrition
• Wearing or pushing the baby when out and about

There are so many aspects of a child’s life that the father (or father figure) can be involved in, and an attached and involved daddy, is a blessing to any child.

It’s about time the social stigma of dad’s simply babysitting is removed, and replaced with a genuine kudos to the dads taking an interest.

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