Championing the relationship between father and child has always been close to my heart. Throughout my many years of private practice, I’ve spoken with thousands of children and teens – and one of the things I love talking with them about is the relationship they have with their parents, and more specifically, with their father. A lot of good and bad habits that I’ve seen in kids can be linked in some way to their interactions with their dad.

A lot of good and bad habits in kids can be linked in some way to their interactions with their dad.

Is dad fully engaged, supportive and strong? Research shows, if this is the case, the child or teen has a healthier emotional, physical and spiritual life. These kids are less likely to do poorly in school, be involved in risky behavior as adolescents and girls especially are less likely to be sexually active from a young age.

Is dad distant, cold, abrasive or just absent? These kids are more likely to grow up with an unbalanced emotional life and struggle in the areas I just listed.

Now I want to be clear and point out that this is not a dig…