Armin Brott MrDad.com Interviews Jean J. Bonhomme MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the National Healthy Start Association / Men’s Health Network, Fatherhood / Men and Boys Health conference, Washington, DC. video by MHNMedia
Category: Family
What Your Therapist Never Taught You About the Absent Father Wound
I’m a therapist specializing in helping men and the families who love them. I’ve been seeing people for more than 40 years, but it has only been in recent years that I’ve come to recognize the importance of the absent father wound on the lives of men and women. When I was five years old, my mid-life...Continue reading
Signs That You’re a Good Parent–Even if You Think You’re Not
Dear Mr. Dad: Like a lot of parents, I do my best. But I can’t help but think that I could be doing better. How can I tell if I’m doing a good job or not? A: The fact that you think you’re not doing a good job and that you care enough to learn more...Continue reading
What Teens Need from Dads, part 3
Over the past two weeks, we’ve been talking about some of the many things teens need from their dad (and/or mom). While this is the conclusion of our series, in reality, there’s no end to what our children need from us—or to how many times you might have to satisfy what looks like the same...Continue reading
What Teens Need from Dads, part 2
Last week, we introduced the topic of what adolescents need from their fathers (and, as many readers pointed out, mothers as well). That was just the beginning of the list. Here are a few more things to keep in mind as you parent your teen. Encourage exercise and good nutrition. Your teen may be too big...Continue reading
The Politics Of Fatherlessness
After the Baltimore riots, Dr. Richard Vatz discussed the politics of fatherlessness, saying: “Progressive political leaders are loathe to address or discuss fatherlessness as a problem and resent those who do… When I have discussions on the topic with Republicans, they say the issue should be front and center but claim there is no willing audience...Continue reading
What Teens Need from Dads, part 1
Dear Mr. Dad. I’ve got 12-year old boy-girl twins. I’ve already noticed that my relationship with them has changed, but I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to stay involved as they enter the teen years. What do they need most from me and how can I gently steer them in the...Continue reading
Playing the Odds of Being an Older Dad
How do you handle risk? Some believe it’s part of the game of life, found everywhere in different doses. Unavoidable but often knowable. Others fear its existence, preferring the familiar and secure. As Oscar Wilde said: “It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.” Where do you stand on risk? Take...Continue reading
Walking the Walk and Crawling the Crawl
Dear Mr. Dad: My best friend and I have 10-month-old boys who were born only a week apart. His started walking about a month ago but mine is still crawling and has absolutely no interest in walking. I know I shouldn’t compare my baby to anyone else’s, but it’s hard not to. Is there anything...Continue reading
Instilling a Sense of Wonder
Dear Mr. Dad: I remember being a child and constantly being amazed. But it seems like life is moving much more quickly these days and my own kids never get the luxury of just staring at the stars. Is there some way that today’s overscheduled families can slow down and rekindle that sense of wonder?...Continue reading