the role of dads
Consider this a big promotion.
Modern theory defines a career as much broader than the things we get paid to do. It covers a whole range of paid and unpaid roles we occupy throughout life - including Dad.
This role is a particularly BIG DEAL.
Here are just a few reasons why you’re so important:
INVOLVED
Children with involved dads are more likely to be emotionally stable, curious, and socially connected as they grow.
ACTIVE
Playing an active role in the early lives of your children can result in daughters with greater career aspirations and sons with better skills as partners.
PLAYFUL
Research shows that being a playful and interactive dad helps teach children emotional self-control.
PRESENT
Fathers can have a positive impact on the lives of their children throughout childhood, adolescence and beyond.
transferrable skills
There are lots of skills you have that can transfer to the role of Dad. Let's take a look at some of the qualifications you might already have:
01.
COMMUICATION SKILLS
The ability to listen actively, express thoughts clearly, and understand non-verbal cues will be handy for interacting with children and partners.
02.
PATIENCE
Dealing with challenging situations calmly and thoughtfully is a skill often honed in the workplace and is invaluable when caring for your child.
03.
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Analytical and creative thinking to solve problems, a skill developed in many jobs, will serve you well as a parent.
04.
PRODUCTIVITY
Thinking about outputs over inputs is going to help you as a dad. You may find that you get better at time management (both at home and work) as you realise how precious it is!
05.
EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING
Putting yourself in another's shoes, understanding their feelings, and responding with care are great for collaboration and leadership, they are also important skills when raising a child.
06.
LEADERSHIP
Guiding, inspiring, and setting a good example for others, a trait often developed in professional environments, is crucial in parenting.
07.
ADAPTABILITY & FLEXIBILITY
The ability to adapt to new situations and be flexible with plans is a skill you'll use regularly as a dad. Just when you have fatherhood worked out, your baby will change and you'll need to adapt with them.
08.
COLLABORATION & TEAMWORK
Collaborating effectively with others, a necessity in most jobs, is also essential in parenting, especially in partnership with a spouse or family members.
09.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Maintaining composure under pressure and managing stress effectively is important for a healthy family environment. This is a skill you might have been honing in your day job and you can put it to good use as a dad.
dad in numbers
The love you'll have for your child will feel impossible to measure, but here are some things we can measure to show you how the role of being a dad to young children looks in averages in the scheme of a lifetime.
The average male lifespan is sourced from ABS data on male life expectancy in Australia across 2020-2022. Average sleep assumes ~7 hours per night across the average lifetime. The screen time average refers to a study by reviews.org.
a day in the life of a new dad
Everyone will parent differently, and each baby is unique too. Here are some of the things you can expect to do in the role of a new dad.
resources & tools
We've curated a collection of things to help you in your new role as a Dad. Let's take a look.
Receive free texts, support, info and tips sent on behalf of your baby, including support for pregnancy loss, babies in NICU or when a partner experiences perinatal anxiety or depression.
An animated series about the Heeler family made for kids and parents alike. Bandit Heeler won (canine) Father of the Year in 2019.
Hamish Blake hosts this podcast interviewing dads and parenting experts on the art of fatherhood.
A developmental pediatrician and Nick a developing parent help you find the sweet spot between textbooks and real life when it comes to parenting.
Maggie Dent is an author, educator and parenting resilience specialist referred to as the "queen of common sense".
Packed with resources, and a great place to find a dads group. 98% of dads in dad groups reported feeling more connected to other dads.
Yuka lets you scan food and cosmetic products to see dietary information and additives so you can make better choices.
An app that helps you understand the developmental leaps of your new baby and how you can help them as they grow.
Free professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling no matter where you are in Australia. Lifeline is another excellent service: 13 11 14
The Australian Red Cross has created a special first aid guide for babies and children.
A great way to create a private network of loved ones to share photos, videos and memories with.
PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – supports the mental health of parents during pregnancy and their first year of parenthood.
parental leave checklist
This document is a simple checklist to help you prepare to step away from your professional career and start parental leave as you take on the role of Dad.
baby jargon quiz
This quiz is a little bit like interview prep. You're doing some advanced research to see how much you already know and learning a few new terms to help your confidence as you talk more about your new career path into fatherhood. Overall, it's light-hearted and informative - take it for a spin!
advice from dads
An overwhelming number of people will suggest that you find a community to support you on this journey - we completely agree.
That's why we've gathered a bunch of dads who want to help you get underway and they've shared the advice they think will set you up for success. You can also read about their Dad career highlights to see what they say are the best parts of the gig.
Kevin McDougall, Head of Digital Strategy
"Time in and around water is the most fun a family can have."
Viren Thakrar, Founder, In The Game
"You laugh more than ever, and the child-like curiosity is infectious!"
Mitch King, Head of Talent, Mutinex
"I believe it's a journey you need to travel yourself and that journey is completely different for everyone."
acknowledgement
Associate Professor Richard Fletcher heads the Fathers and Families Research Program (FFRP) at the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle. Richard advocates for a societal shift in how we view and understand the role of fathers, emphasising the importance of dads for the betterment of families and society at large. His research and insights have helped us develop parts of this career guide. You'll also see his excellent work in action in the SMS4Dads service.
Yannick Merlet, Cyber Secuirty Architect, Telstra
"Spend one on one time with your children and watch them grow. Show prospective fathers that it can be done."
Aaron Wynne, Founder, Real Estate Write & Sailor
"I've found that my 'fathering' always improves in line with my physical activity, nutrition and sleep. I don't think that's a coincidence."
Scott Brodie, Operational Capability Facilitator, Youi
"Becoming a Father changed the way I looked at time - you can’t buy it back so I set clearer boundaries, always put a clear plan in place and always set realistic deadlines."
about Workpants
Workpants supports individuals and workplaces with career counselling for new parents.
We're on a mission to help people design work that fits. We do this with expert career counselling, quality content and education. We're less like a guru and more like a support crew - when it comes to your career, you wear the pants.
Learn more about how we support individuals and workplaces.