In households with two working parents, making the evening transition from work to home life can be tough, particularly when you’re greeted by talkative, energetic kids. According to a December 2009 study published by the American Psychological Association, kids respond to mothers returning from work much more positively than fathers—so why no love for dad?
Dr. Steve Patrick, a Dallas area psychologist and parenting coach, says dads should look to themselves for the solutions. “There’ve been times when my sons would run to me when I got home from work; and there were other times when they didn’t even look up,” the father of two says with a laugh. But dads can change that situation.
“[Kids] aren’t going to want to get into your world, you have to find ways to get interested in their world,” he says. Ask your daughter about her play rehearsal, or find ways for her to want to come to you with what happened during her day. By staying engaged in your children’s lives, says Patrick, you’re reversing that no-so-positive greeting that dads might receive when returning from a long day.
