In many new-age families, no task is too great for fathers who believe they should be involved in raising their children. Five hands-on dads Speak Up on the joy of parenting.

Try to become a part of their routine and share activity time
Fathers are definitely equal partners in the parenting process. In most Western or developed nations, this equal responsibility is a given fact and some countries also have legislations in this regard. In India, the change is taking place slowly.

I very much wanted to be a part of the parenting process and was lucky that my work environment allowed me the freedom and time to do this. In our society, it is often the women who cluster together around the baby, like the mother, grandmothers, sundry aunts, sisters, nurses, ayahs and so 
on. The men tend to keep a stern distance from all the cooing and gurgling!

However, I believe every parent has his/her own interests, aptitude and things that s/he would like to do, which the child observes and takes part in. My wife, for example, likes to paint and so, she and my daughter often paint together. While with me, it’s about telling each other stories or reading together.

There are two parts to this issue. The first is about what one does and its novelty. The second is about the time we spend with children. Mental or physical activities are great for children and you have to make these games fun for them. Moreover, children get bored easily and demand instant changes. So, while a father may want to keep repeating the same activity, he will find that it’s only him doing it after a while! The more important aspect of this ‘together time’ is that you become a part of their routine. You may plan a special weekend, but it is equally important to be there for the small things, good and bad. A parent who only appears with the South-West monsoon is not good enough. 
Vivek Balram, head (research group), Cognizant Technology Solutions

Your children will imitate you, so adopt a lifestyle you’re proud of
It is important for a father to contribute to raising the children. It is about sharing your responsibilities as a parent. For the father, the day with his children starts after office. Mothers dedicate all their time to them, so it is essential for us to give how much ever time we can. So, you have to run for the diapers and medicines even if it is midnight. After a long day at work, it’s a great feeling to watch your children sleeping peacefully.

Children observe their parents very closely. They learn through us and also imitate us. Thus, fathers in particular have to be careful about what kind of a lifestyle they are leading.

My children watch me exercising, performing puja in the evening and showing respect to my wife. Hopefully, they will imbibe all the values we teach them through our actions. We should remember that we are their first teachers.

A word of appreciation, understanding and care will help children throughout their lives. The father should definitely be around in the growing years of the children, just like the mother. 
Jimit Soni, software professional

A child needs care, love and guidance from both parents
Bringing up children and making them good individuals is a responsibility shared by the mother and father. In my case, my career kept me away from home most of the time. So, it was my wife who was influential in nurturing our child. It was almost like she worked at the execution level, while I played a more supportive role.

A child needs care, love and guidance from the mother and father who are his/her pillars of strength. Both parents need to show good understanding between each other and to the child. This helps in the child’s growth and bonds the family as a whole. Parents should blend their duties and contribute to the child’s development. 
Colonel Anurag Ramgopal

I always look for hobbies that my daughter and I can enjoy together
A father’s nurturing love is equally important for children. Children seek love and acceptance from their parents. For a baby, the father is traditionally the provider and rule-maker. However, when his son/daughter becomes a teenager, he needs to make a shift towards becoming an advisor, confidant or counsellor. Instead of imposing rules, he can listen and allow his child to take responsibility for making decisions and gradually take on a more adult role, while providing the emotional security s/he needs.

Today’s fathers are more involved in raising their children. I share a lovely relationship with my daughter and always find hobbies that we both can enjoy. She is learning music and we try to play songs on our small keyboard. I can see the admiration in her eyes when I play some song flawlessly!

I would tell all fathers to give more of their valuable time to their children. Children grow very fast and there is no way of going back and getting the time you lost out on. 
Rahul Apte, IT head

Being there for her without distraction is a rewarding experience
Fathers play a vital and equal role in the parenting process, more so in nuclear families where both parents are working and are pressed for time.

It is extremely unfair to consider parenting to be entirely the mother’s job. The father has to share the responsibility and can help in feeding and caring for the child, cleaning the house, clearing up the toys, mess and so on.

I have bathed my daughter since Day One and it has become a fun ritual for both of us. The child always emulates his/her parents. In the child’s eyes, dad is always the ‘superhero’, hence the best person to set an example. The father can teach the child about courage, restraint and standing up for himself/herself or others.

A father can also teach respect, good manners and etiquette. Discipline tempered with unconditional love can help in the overall development of the child. Quality time is a must for every father and child to bond. Being there without distraction for a while every day is of utmost importance. It is not the amount of time you spend; just talking one-to-one every day for a couple of minutes is rewarding. 
Siddharth Shivalkar, founder, Urvi Research Labs