For 18 million students, the 15-day semester break begins today. Pointing out the importance of the relationship established with the father in the development of the child, experts recommend that fathers spend more productive time with their children during the semester break.
NPISTANBUL Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Services Department Specialist Clinical Psychologist Duygu Barlas made suggestions for fathers to spend more time with their children during the semester break.
Father has a special importance
Clinical Psychologist Duygu Barlas stated that fathers often put the burden of taking care of children on the mother and said, "Sometimes there may be a point that is missed by fathers. The child goes to the cinema, theater or makes another organization with the mother. I would like to address fathers here. Your child has two parents. The mother on one side and the father on the other. The mother and father figure have very important roles that cannot be compared with each other. What the mother can give to the child cannot be compared with the father, nor vice versa. A child, whether a boy or a girl, must have a father figure in his/her life."
Vacation should be considered as an important opportunity
Stating that the semester break should be seen as an opportunity to spend time with the child, Barlas continued his words as follows: "There is no reason why a father cannot do the same things that a mother does when taking care of her child. Just like mothers do with other mothers, fathers can make an agreement with other fathers and organize a cinema, theater or a football match. I suggest that fathers spend as much time with their children as their mothers do during this holiday period. If possible, mothers can take a step back and fathers can take the lead. I see the holiday period as an opportunity for fathers."
Children need to relax
Clinical Psychologist Duygu Barlas advised fathers to look at the holiday from two points in order to make good use of it. Barlas said, "On the one hand, you can look at it as a vacation for your child to renew himself and on the other hand as a vacation where you can evaluate the situation. Our education system is quite challenging for children. Children need to relax once in a while. With this relaxation, children will not loosen up, they will not lose their grip. With this vacation, children will be refreshed and feel fresher, their brains refreshed. Since it is a holiday, I recommend that children do activities. Children need adult supervision. Older children can organize themselves and do activities with the approval of their elders. For younger children, if you are working, you can get support from relatives. Since parents are not on vacation, other family elders can be asked for help. Children should not stay at home empty during the holiday period. They should keep their minds fresh and develop their creativity with activities such as cinema and theater."
You can bend the rules on vacation
Barlas continued his suggestions to fathers for the holiday as follows: "Be sure that participating in these organizations will increase your child's performance as much as solving tests. Apart from that, course grades should be evaluated. If your child has difficulty in some things and has difficulty concentrating, you can make a situation assessment. During this holiday period, children may want to sleep later or stay with friends as boarders. During the holiday period, you can talk to your children about your rules and stretch them a little more. This is also very important in terms of communication. I suggest that you determine the child's needs and do the stretching in consultation with your child. Stretching will be good for you and the child. It will be much more efficient when you do it bilaterally."
