by Kate Frewerd

Created on: April 08, 2010   Last Updated: April 11, 2010

Many people think fathers have an unfair advantage over mothers when it comes to parenting techniques. For the most part, dads are emotionally removed from parenting situations. This allows them to be able to make rational parenting decisions more easily than a mother, especially a young, new mother.  Somehow, as young mothers, we are clouded with emotions, we feel bad when we can’t give our children what they want and so instinctively we coddle them and crumble at the site of crocodile tears. Dad, on the other hand, has no problem putting the fear into their child. Men demand respect from others, especially children, and without that emotional clouding, that plagues women, men are able to naturally separate their emotions from discipline.

Now this in no way means that a father is a better parent than a mother. Parenting is a journey that is easier for some than others. Fathers and mothers each play distinctively different, and equally necessary, rolls in a child’s development. Coddling from a mother, while inappropriate during times of child discipline is needed to help a child’s emotional development. Although it is hard, a mother must learn self-discipline when it comes to separating emotion from discipline, and it only comes with time and practice. A mother instills a sensitive and caring nature in a child, while a father instills more self-respect and self-discipline. Both parents must be equally involved in a child’s life even if each parent has their own “job” to do with the child, such as dad teaches how to ride a bike and mom teaches how to sew. When it comes to school, both parents must be involved in all aspects of their child’s education. A child who only has one parent pushing to do homework and excel in school may become resentful of the uninvolved parent, causing the child to have behavioral issues at school. However, even a well rounded child will make mistakes and that is where a parenting plan comes in handy.

Instinctively fathers and mothers have different parenting styles, but they must keep those instincts in the back of their minds when disciplining and work together in making a parenting plan. These rules will help to guide parents through the years as their child goes through inevitable and sometimes unpredictable phases. Yes, there is no instruction manual that delivers with a child, so parents have to write there own. A “what if” list is what they are looking to design. Each

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