Happy Father’s Day from SensoBaby!
When we talk about a baby being born, so is a mother and so is a father. A hugely significant time in everyone’s life and it can be really overwhelming. Whilst support for mothers is still sometimes lacking, support for fathers can be non-existing. Dads are meant to get on with their new role, often without the additonal peer or family support.
A recent study showed that early father-infant play is linked to positive social, emotional and cognitive outcomes later in life
(Ramchandani et al, 2020)
In Botswana in 2019, 83.8% of babies were born to single mothers (Botswana Statistics). This means so many of our children may be growing up without a father role model. Whilst we salute the women raising children on their own, it also makes us question why so many Dads seem to be out of the picture here in Botswana.
We need to see more images of Dads with their babies, more stories of play and involvement and more ideas on how fathers can be present in their child’s life and form attachments with their children from an early age, whether they are a constant in the family home or not.
Why Dads matter
Fathers play such an essential role in the development of our children. Their interactions tend to be more playful overall; they provide much needed sensory input such as rough and tumble play and strong father-infant connections are linked to positive wellbeing in childhood. A recent study showed that early father-infant play is linked to positive social, emotional and cognitive outcomes later in life (Ramchandani et al, 2020).
The positive effects of play and interaction works both ways as well. Fathers who are more engaged with their children are less likely to experience mental health problems and depressive symptoms (Bamishigbin, et al, 2020). Check out these links to find out more about fatherhood and mental health: https://mhanational.org/mental-health-and-new-father http://www.mhfi.org/FathersAndChildMentalHealth.pdf
We see you!
We’re lucky in SensoBaby; we see the hands on Dads, the Dads willing to be silly, the ones working hard to provide the best start for their families.
Today we celebrate the Dads who do show up. The Dads who ace their role. The ones who are trying their best. The Dad who are being the Fathers and role models that they maybe didn’t have growing up and the ones who are trying to break the traditional moulds.
In SensoBaby we welcome Fathers to our classes and our Cuppa Love coffee mornings. We know it can be daunting walking in to a room full of women and babies but we hope to make you feel welcome!
Your bond is important. Your playfulness and presence has a lasting impact on your child.
Thank you for being there for us.
Happy Father’s Day!