Vermont Dads Group
(VDags)
TIPS FOR DADS AND FATHER FIGURES
(From The Fathering Project)
A key factor in the development of resilience in children and young people is a healthy self-esteem. We want our children to believe – I am capable and confident in myself and my ability to take on challenges and try new things.
Young people with positive self-esteem are more likely to feel capable and valuable, have healthy relationships with family and friends and are less likely to engage in undesirable behaviours.
Top Tips
1. Use compliments that are positive but believable. Help them think about their abilities and what they are capable of in a realistic way, e.g. “You are driving so well for someone who is just learning!"
2. Love them unconditionally and accept them as they are. Tell them you will love them unconditionally regardless of their failures or mistakes. Recognise the process of striving for something as much as the outcome.
3. Build their confidence without making them self-centred. Encourage and support them to dream big and work hard. Let them know you believe in them and are confident they will achieve their goals.
Dad joke of the week
"I moved into a bungalow recently. I was going to move into a house but that was another storey..."