What lucky daughters to have a dad like you!

Wyatt, you are amazing! Thanks for all your kind words. You are NOT like every partner, so I do hope you’ll give yourself a lot of credit for your open mind and insight!

GR – Thank you so much for sharing!

Spot on Wyatt. I was this man too…stubbornly refusing to read Janet’s blog until recently. I am a far better father to my daughters, and probably a better and more emotionally connected man, for having done so.

We are a fortunate generation of women to have such engaged and present fathers in our families. “The Progressive Dad” that Po Bronson discusses in Nurture Shock is a thriving demographic among men.

When working on sleep and specifically struggle (crying) I tell families, send in the parent with the most testosterone. Dads are just as bonded with our children and offer so much in the growing development towards autonomy.

However, moms must give the gift of – letting go and letting dad. When our children are in their father’s arms we can let go absolutely.

Skip: These principles can be applied to almost every situation, even if you did not grow up thinking and dreaming about caring for babies. In fact, there are some RIE skills that may actually come easier for Daddy. For example, women may have a hastier intervention response to crying and baby struggling.

I love this!

Edward: I would want other dads to know that validating emotion is simply acknowledging that a child is having a certain experience, an experience that only the child can know. Letting your child navigate their emotional waters with your watchful support is like helping your kid ride his or her bike.

I am not sure if this is the exact Magda Gerber quote but it was similar to this – Learning to fall and get up again is one of the best lessons of life.

Fathers offer a valuable perspective on this and so much that will foster resilience, autonomy and intimacy for our children.

Thanks to all!
Eileen Henry – RIE Associate
Author of The Compassionate Sleep Solution: Calming the cry.