Press Releases

13 June 2008    

The NSPCC is calling on dads to make Father's Day a special occasion by being the kind of dad they and their children want this Sunday.  

In a recent survey* by the leading children's charity, more than one in two fathers (54%) said the pressures of modern life meant they were struggling to be the dad they wanted to be for their children. And 59 per cent said they were being kept away from their children by long working hours and inflexible jobs.  

Eileen Hayes, Parenting Advisor at the NSPCC, said: "Many dads are finding it tough just to spend time with their children. Father's Day presents a great opportunity to put that right.

"Children need their dads to love and care for them just as much as they do their mums and on Father's Day they can show their dad how important he is to them."

"So, this Sunday we are asking dads to put away their work papers, turn off mobile phones, forget about work and focus on their children. Dads and mums often take a different approach to parenting. They may play differently and do different activities with their children. This is good for a child's rounded emotional development. We are also asking mums to help make this a special day between children and their dads. "

To help dads get the most from their day the NSPCC has provided these ten tips.

• Organise whatever fun activities your child enjoys doing with you.
• Remember that very small children may not understand the significance of Father's Day, so don't expect too much.
• Some teens might think the idea is not very cool. This doesn't mean they don't care about you its just that they want to be out with their friends instead. So offer to drive them there and take the opportunity to chat along the way.
• Like all celebrations, raised expectations can lead to disappointment and arguments, so be aware of that and try to avoid conflict and rows. Accept emotional outbursts and find out what has made them upset.
• You can have fun without spending money so don't get caught up in the commercial side of things.
• When your child does something to please you give them plenty of praise. Focus on the good behaviour and ignore the minor naughty things.
• Make time to listen to what your son or daughter tells you.
• Respect their views, even if you don't agree with them. Sarcasm or put -downs can bring down the communication shutters.
• Try not to nag. If every conversation contains the phrase, 'I told you so' relations will become a little frosty.
• Maintain a real interest and commitment to your child- not just on father's Day. This is more important than what kind of dad you are. Even separated dads should keep in touch and communicate with regular phone calls, e-mails or cards.

Ends

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Notes to Editors

*ICM interviewed 1,023 fathers aged 18+ between March 18th - April 13th 2008. Interviews were conducted across England, Wales and Scotland. As part of the interviews fathers were given a range of options that might make it more difficult for them to be the dad they want to be.

The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.