8 out of 10 dads say they always wanted a baby, outstripping the number of mums who say the same

This is not too surprising – just talk to some Dads and you’ll find they really value their kids and family.

(recent US study by by Associated Press-WE TV)
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Poll-Most-men-aspire-to-be-dads.html

Also in the story I note that “Dads were more likely than moms in the poll to say they saw positive effects from fatherhood on their love life and career”

But there is even more interesting research that I am fascinated by…

There have been a couple of longitudinal studies that have shown that father-infant relationship quality can be predicted from interviews with the father antenatally. And this prediction is stronger for fathers than for mothers. This pre-birth interview (AAI: Adult Attachment Interview) asks the adults to discuss their own childhood experience. 

Clearly a father’s perception of being raised as a child has a powerful impact on his relationship with his child.

Another interesting finding from research with parents interviewed before the birth of their child - the results from the AAI are more strongly predictive of later parent-infant attachment relationship than clinical observations of parent-infant sensitivity.

Again, this shows that the way a father has made sense of their own childhood experience is very important to their child's development of psychological security. 

This is why our upcoming Expecting Masterclass is aimed at helping both women and men to prepare for parenting.

What do you think Dads - does your childhood experience impact on your parenting?