by Patrick M. Houser
Throughout our history mothers breastfeeding their babies has run the spectrum from feast to famine. Very long ago nearly every mother breastfed; nature obviously had a good plan. During less distant times mothers breastfeeding became unfashionable and ‘proper society’ did not ...
Long gone are the days when a father paced back and forth in a smoky hospital waiting room while his wife gave birth elsewhere, in a room full of strangers. This was the archetype during the mid-twentieth century. Fathers are now more in alliance with the creative process of pregnancy and birth, and...
The ancient archetype of a father at birth is that he stands guard at the opening to the cave to protect the birthing mother and their child. As we move through time he comes closer to the actual location of the birth itself; waiting, protecting. Then, in the late 20th century he enters the room and...
F-F-F-F-Father, why do you suppose we have such a hard time using that word in our parenting culture?
Almost three years ago I decided that the next phase of my career would be fathers’ education, specifically early fatherhood, conception through the family’s first year together. I had worked in th...
by Patrick Houserwww.FathersToBe.org
While no one was looking the very foundations of our society, our culture and our families have undergone a metamorphosis. What about fathers at birth? There is really no discussion to be had about whether or not fathers ‘should’ be in the room for the birth ...
by Patrick Houserwww.FathersToBe.org
I have been speaking, educating and writing about fathers and the family for many years now and I enjoy finding new ways to provoke conversation and emphasize the various topics important for early family life.
You might be puzzled by the question, ‘Should car...