It only takes a moment to have a meaningful interaction with your child. That is the focus of the campaign for good parenting from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.

If we reflect on the times when we had a chance to make that special connection with our child, we can think of lots of them. We can also identify opportunities when we didn’t take the initiative, missed the chance, ignored the opening.

If that’s the case, we can do better.

Moments flash by

We all know our kids grow quickly. We’ve certainly seen it in ours. We have four between us and we look back in amazement at how fast their lives changed and our challenges transformed. 

While it can be difficult to stare into a baby’s eyes and see the teen she will become, the train of time rolls on unceasingly. While sometimes we hope for a faster ride, most of the time we’re awed by the speed.

In our busy lives where we’re making a living, running a household, parenting our children, and keeping up some kind of partnership and any kind of social life, we can miss chances to touch base with our kids, hold a moment in our hands, and create a connection.

We can make sure our children do their homework, remind them to turn it in, get them to pick up their messes (or at least try), transport them to practice, but how often do we miss those moments when we could have said an encouraging word, made a loving gesture, responded with a smile, or taken a minute to listen?

It doesn’t take long but it can make a lasting impression.

Connect with your kids

Children need attention not, just logistics. They want you to listen, provide support and encouragement, attend their special events, and be a part of their lives.

We know that growing up without an involved father in their lives hurts our children. It increases the challenges they face and decreases the examples they need.

Join the movement for responsible fatherhood by committing to your family, recognizing the impact that dads have in their children’s lives, and seizing the opportunity to make a strong bond. You get a limited number of chances. Make them count by taking a moment.

For ideas on how to connect with your child, check out the website above. There are lots of examples as well as links to other resources for fostering this important relationship with your child.