It's so important for fathers to take an active role in their children's lives. How? By talking and listening to children, and encouraging them to talk about themselves. By reading to them and taking part in their schoolwork. By showing them affection, and showing their mother respect. And by being consistent when setting limits for behavior.

Here are some sites and resources that can help men become better fathers.

Especially for Dads
www.nymministries.org/articles.html#Dads

Back articles from Northern Youth (NY) Ministries, geared especially to dads. NY Ministries is a Christian ministry for First Nations people of northern Canada.

Click here to read Functional Fathers - Tips for Those Who Are Fathers, produced from notes from a Choice Theory workshop. This text file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

Breaking the Cycle: Saying No to Family Violence
www.nymministries.org/break1.html

Family violence is a big problem in our society. It doesn't always involve beating or other physical abuse, either - it can also be sexual or emotional abuse, or simply neglect. Breaking the Cycle is an online guide with step-by-step tips for stopping the abuse.

Traditional Inuit Upbringing of Children
www.nunavut.com/traditionalknowledge/vol3/pdf/chapter4.pdf

Elders reveal how Inuit children were taught skills, shown love, and encouraged to thrive, while parents learned how to stop giving in to children and doing everything for them. This text file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

Dads Can.org
www.dadscan.org/find.html

Check out plain-language tips on how to be an involved father.

National Center for Father
www.fathers.com

Spurred by the large percentage of children living without their fathers in that country, this U.S.-based web site was created, and includes tips for fathers of children ranging from newborns to teenagers, chat rooms for dads only, links to other fathering sites and more.

NAPCAN Helping Parents - Helping Children
www.napcan.org.au/Educational Resources/Fathering.shtml

Halfway around the world, aboriginal fathers in Australia experience many of the same struggles and rewards as fathers in Nunavut. This web site has lots of resources, including two online booklets: Becoming a Father and Being a Dad is the Most Important Job You'll Ever Do.