Why great Florida fathers spend time with their children

Central Florida is known during the summer for its clear night skies. As a child I remember spending time with my father looking up at the nighttime stars. I am grateful for a father who valued spending time together. Great fathers recognize the importance of spending time with their children on Father's Day and every day of the year.

Great fathers recognize the value of being involved in their children’s lives:

First, involved fathers are more likely to have high educational expectations or their children. The National Center on Education noted children of involved fathers are more likely to do well on tests and achieve higher grades.

Second, involved father build a child's self-confidence. Fathers who spend time helping a child with their education, working on household projects, and enjoying engaging activities tend to have children who are more self-confident. Research shows that the children of involved fathers have better problem solving and social skills.

Third, involved fathers create wonderful family memories. Seize the moment to be with your children. Successful fathers take the time for family dinners, weekly family meetings and take children with them on errands and to do work projects around the home. Dallin H. Oaks observed: “Some of our most important choices concern family activities. Many breadwinners worry that their occupations leave too little time for their families. There is no easy formula for that contest of priorities. However, I have never known of a man who looked back on his working life and said, ‘I just didn’t spend enough time with my job.'"