So yesterday was my husband’s first Father’s Day actually holding a baby (as opposed to with a pregnant wife). And today my baby boy turned 5 months old.
If you’ve been a faithful blog follower for a while (like, at least a year), you’ll remember that last Father’s Day is when we announced the pregnancy to our families. It was a pretty eventful day filled with anticipation (that would only grow until Cameron finally arrived). This year there were no announcements to be made (thank goodness!), but we got to truly celebrate fatherhood. Which, for the record, is something my husband had turned out to be extremely good at.
I’ve always loved my Dad and the incredible example he has been as a father. He’s always been invested in the lives of his kids and wasn’t afraid to jump in and get his hands dirty (so to speak) and do things with us. I even remember him doing my hair a few times (no joke). Thanks to him, I knew I wanted to marry a man that wanted to be involved in his kids’ lives too. One of the many reasons I married Preston.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had women comment to me about how “hands on” Preston is with Cameron. When we’re at church, he’s usually the one holding him and at lunches with friend, Preston is just as likely to feed or change Cameron as I am. It’s sad to me that people find this strange or surprising, but for us, it’s normal. The way things are. Consequently, Cameron absolutely adores his daddy. Preston may be gone most of the day for work, but when he’s home, he’s home and that has definitely paid off. When I have to be gone for an entire day shooting a wedding, I don’t have to worry about whether or not Cam will “be okay”. And despite the surprised faces when I mention that Cameron is “with his daddy” when I’m asked if I had to get a babysitter, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the grand scheme of things, we know we’re lucky. Both Preston and I had amazing fathers. It’s part of why Preston is an amazing father already - he had a great example as well. But we know that we came from families that were the exception, not the rule. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health, 43% of kids in America grow up without their father.
Think about that for a minute. 43 percent.
Given the divorce rate in the country, I suppose that isn’t surprising, but if you weren’t aware just how key the roll of a father is to the family, take a look at a few of these other statistics too.
63% of teen suicides come from fatherless homes. That’s 5 times the national average.
SOURCE: U.S. Dept of Health
90% of all runaways and homeless children are from fatherless homes. That’s 32 times the national average.
80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes. 14 times the national average.
SOURCE: Justice and Behavior
85% of children with behavioral problems come from fatherless homes. 20 times the national average.
SOURCE: Center for Disease Control
71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. 9 times the national average.
SOURCE: National Principals Association Report
75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. 10 times the national average.
SOURCE: Rainbow’s for all God’s Children
85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes. 20 times the national average.
SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Justice
Daughters of single parents without a Father involved are 53% more likely to marry as teenagers, 711% more likely to have children as teenagers, 164% more likely to have a pre-marital birth and 92% more likely to get divorced themselves.
Researchers of Columbia University found that children living in two-parent households with a poor relationship with their father are 68% more likely to smoke, drink or use drugs compared to all teens in two-parent households. Moreover, teens in single-mother households fared much worse. They had a 30% higher risk than those in all two-parent households.
Staggering, right? Whatever the reasons, be it societal, financial, work-related or media-related, the absence of fathers has a huge impact on families and kids. Without launching too far into that, can I just say that statistics like this remind me yet again of just how much I appreciate what my Dad and my Father-in-Law did for my husband and I growing up. It’s also why I am beyond proud at what my husband is already doing.
Here’s to 5 months of hands-on fathering by my husband! I love who you are and who you are becoming (something we had written into our vows - partly for days like this I think). You are truly the greatest man I know.
:: b ::
Speaking of ahead for milestones, they’re both ahead in different areas. For example, Mr. Phillip can stand. No seriously, the kid can stand up at a few weeks shy of 6 months. All he needs is a finger or two to help balance, but the standing part is all him. 
Of course, we had to take some pics of our own cutie-patootie too. Love this kiddo. 
