The Importance of Fathers: Why You Should Be Involved

Dr. Glenn Graves, PhD
A man and a little girl are walking on the beach holding hands.

There is no shortage of statistics showing how important the role of father's is when it comes to raising happy and healthy children. But it seems that often, only mothers and their grown up kids are reading these articles. Dads! Wake Up! Read the good news about you.

In my counselling practice, I have been working with adults for years and with the passing years and my constant exploration with these adults, we invariably find ourselves sitting and talking to a child; their inner child, or we are revisiting the childhood in some way or another. It’s uncanny how many adults are stuck in some part of their childhood and when this happens, invariably a very influential parent is standing nearby in that scene or memory. They are there, either building up or tearing down the construct of self for that child. This can often get passed on in the form of an internal dialogue.


Internal dialogues can be positive or negative: judging, accessing, criticisms, encouragement, disapproval, rejecting and many more. They all have an impact.


This is why I am often finding myself going back to childhood with my clients. It's there, where they find many of the internal dialogues that are now dictating their actions.


In my couple's work, I often cite a well-known author John Gottman. He is world famous for his research on couples. However in recent months even Mr. Gottman and his wife are moving more towards work that is focused on parenting and the child experience. They have shifted because their own studies have highlighted the importance the parent's role plays in the child's healthy development and future relationships. Surprisingly their studies show that a father's role can be even more vital than at mothers in certain areas of development. No offense, Moms.


John and Julie Gottmans' studies have even gone so far as to shown that men and women are less likely to go to war when they have an involved father in their upbringing. "Fathers are probably the most important predictors of emotional development for sons and daughters," says Gottman, whose own research by the Bringing Baby Home program shows that when dads act as an emotion coach, by valuing and encouraging emotions, children are physically healthier, have fewer colds and illnesses, higher self-esteem and a strong sense of social connection. When dads communicate with their children about the emotions they are experiencing, behavioural problems decrease.


Since all emotions have a purpose, involved fathers attending to the emotions of their children, help the child to learn how to set boundaries to manage their experiences as well as how to respect the feelings of others which has shown to help increase mental, physical and social well-being.


Children with dads who are critical or dismissing of emotions are more likely to do poorly in school, fight more with friends and have poor health.


It's also known that children living in father absent homes are more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems, be suspended from school or drop out, be victims of child abuse or neglect, use drugs and commit suicide when in their teens. I even had a client recently say "No Dad is better than a bad Dad". I agree in part. Being critical and dismissive can cause more damage than not being there. But being present and positively participating, whether you have fathering skills or not, goes a long way to helping a child develop.


Parenting is an art like golf or speed texting on a BB while sipping a pint and negotiating mega deals. The craft can be honed only through more exposure to the experience. It can't just be learned from watching a movie. Although I do recommend It's a Wonderful Life and Pursuit of Happyness. Even golfers go to gurus to find out how to enter Zen on the 18th hole. So there is nothing wrong with seeking guidance from experts when it comes to the Do's and Don'ts in fathering.


Here are just a few to start with and you will probably recognize that many of them are common sense but rely on an intimate knowledge of the child in order to work. James Dobson in his book, How to Build Confidence In Your Child, writes, "The art of good parenting begins with the fundamental skill of seeing through the eyes of the child, of sharing the child's view of reality, feelings and hopes."


 Here are some common sense Do's and Don'ts: Try to picture each scenario through the eyes of your child.


  • Don't ask a question, demand an answer then talk before they have a chance to respond.
    "Should we have eggs for breakfast? I think it would be good for you. Let's have cereal for breakfast."
  • Don't attempt to scold them for one thing when you are angry about something else.
    "It's your fault I missed my important phone call. If you hadn't asked me that question I would have been paying attention."
  • Don't miss their appeals for a connection or affection.
    ”Daddy, can I have a hug?” “Not right now. Daddy's reading.”
  • Don't curse in anger. It's just scary and they miss the point.
    Self explanatory.
  • Don't look elsewhere when they are trying to speak to you.
    "Daddy, I had a question." "Yes dear." "Daddy." "Yes" ". I had a question." Yes dear, go ahead." "Daddy, can you look at me for a minute?"

  • Do as you say and as you do.
    "Daddy, you're here! " "I said I would make it for your school play. So I re-arranged my schedule."
  • Do spend time creating and playing with them.
  • "Let me show you a game I used to play with my father."
  • Do use empathetic listening with them; repeating what you understand about their expressed feelings.
    "When you complained about Daddy's job does that mean you miss me and want me to come home earlier?"
  • Do ask open ended questions when wanting to understand them better.
    "How did that make you feel when you heard Daddy shouting earlier?"
  • Do express love and affection.
    "Can I have a hug? I missed you."


We are models to our children. They learn through our example. They watch how we cope with problems and handle depression and handle infractions with others.


In psychology this is known simply as modelling. Children are the products of their subjective life experiences and these are in no small part comprised of what they observe in their parents.


We all know the declaration of not wanting to turn out like our parents, only to do just that. This means that a boy will be learning how to treat women in relationships in part, by his observation of how his father treats his mother: the way you talk to her and address her concerns and show interest in her needs.


The same man's daughter is also learning what to expect in her own relationships with men in the future. If its dysfunctional there is a likelihood that she can grown familiar with this and even find the dysfunction more comfortable, since she has already learned from her mother, and father, how to navigate in that environment.


Pay attention to the modelling that you are doing in all aspects of your role as father. It's a privilege to be a father, and I assure you that the privilege will be all yours when you are watching your young ones walk gracefully and happily into their own adult lives.


About the Author: Dr. Glenn Graves is an American psychologist who has lived and worked in Asia since 2004. The founder and director of Counseling Perspective, Glenn has nearly two decades of experience in providing counselling support to local and expatriate individuals, couples, and families in Singapore. His specialities include child counselling and trauma recovery. Read Full Bio >

Intimacy Beyond Sex – A Way of Being

By Aki Tsukui • February 4, 2026
When we hear the word intimacy , we often think of sex: touch, desire, romance. Yet true intimacy lives far beyond these moments. It is felt in silence, in a shared glance, and in the quiet courage it takes to be fully present with yourself, with another, and with life itself. Real intimacy does not begin by reaching outward. It begins within. In the rhythm of your breath. In the pulse of life moving through your body. In the willingness to meet yourself honestly and gently. Meeting Yourself The deepest intimacy is the relationship you cultivate with your own heart. To meet yourself is to witness your thoughts, contradictions, joys, and aches without judgment or urgency. Can you stay present with fear rather than turning away? Can you allow sadness to settle in your chest and still honor it as meaningful? Can you sense the subtle movement of breath and energy within you? In moments of stillness and awareness, we often discover how much of ourselves we have learned to hide: emotions pushed aside, sensations ignored, patterns inherited and carried unconsciously. Yet every doorway to genuine connection already exists inside you. When you reclaim your inner world, you reconnect with the source from which all intimacy flows. Being Felt Emotional intimacy is not something we explain; it is something we allow. It lives in presence in the unguarded moment, the pause that stretches, the vulnerability that remains uncovered. To be emotionally intimate is to let the quiet pulse of your inner life meet another without the need to justify or repair it. Breath becomes a bridge, gently moving awareness between your inner world and the shared space. In this soft surrender, the heart remembers that it is safe to open, to soften, to simply be. Being Known Psychological intimacy asks for the courage to see and name the patterns that shape how we move through the world: our fears, defenses, and habitual ways of relating. “I withdraw when I feel unseen.” “I hesitate to ask for support because I fear being a burden.” These patterns rarely belong only to us. They often arise from family systems, ancestral histories, and cultural conditioning, unseen forces carried across generations. When we begin to recognize these influences, compassion naturally deepens. We stop judging ourselves and instead meet our patterns with curiosity and care, honoring the lineage that lives within us. Meeting Beyond Roles Spiritual intimacy emerges when roles and narratives fall away. It is found in the space between breaths, in shared silence, and in the quiet recognition of essence meeting essence. It may appear while sitting together in stillness, in a gaze that needs no explanation, or while walking side by side through ordinary moments that suddenly feel sacred. When attention softens and awareness deepens, intimacy arises naturally. Breath, presence, and a wider systemic awareness allow us to meet one another with greater freedom, depth, and reverence. Intimacy Beyond Another You do not need another person to access this depth of closeness. Intimacy can be cultivated entirely within. In moments of stillness, you may begin to honor every layer of your being. As your breath deepens, its rhythm may echo the larger cycles of life. Subtle currents of energy become more perceptible, as does the quiet presence of ancestral threads shaping your experience. When inner intimacy is nurtured, relationships transform. Connection is no longer about filling a void, but about resonance: two beings meeting from wholeness rather than need. The Sacredness of Vulnerability To be intimate is to be seen and being seen can feel risky. Old wounds, inherited fears, and unmet needs often surface, making closeness feel uncomfortable. Yet vulnerability is the doorway. Breath and embodied awareness gently anchor you in the present, reminding you that you are alive, supported, and connected. As presence meets presence, intimacy deepens naturally. Intimacy as a Way of Being Intimacy is not something to earn or achieve. It is a state of presence, openness, and deep respect for life. It lives in meeting yourself with compassion, keeping your heart soft even in the presence of fear, holding space for another without expectation, and recognizing the sacred thread that runs through all connection. As you move through the days ahead, you might gently notice where intimacy is already presentin your breath, in moments of quiet honesty with yourself, in the spaces between words. There is nothing to strive for and nothing to fix. Intimacy is already here, waiting to be met. Warmly, Aki Tsukui

The Limits of Chemistry

By Esther Oon-Bybjerg • February 4, 2026
Chemistry is often treated as a decisive force in romantic life. When it is present, people feel justified in leaning in. When it is absent, even after a pleasant and promising date, interest tends to stall. Chemistry appears to offer clarity, but what it actually provides is something narrower: an early signal, powerful in its immediacy, yet limited in what it can reliably tell us. Most people recognise this tension intuitively. They know chemistry matters, but they also sense that it does not explain everything that makes a relationship viable or sustaining. And yet, in practice, chemistry is frequently asked to carry more authority than it deserves, shaping decisions about who to pursue, who to dismiss, and how long to remain invested. What is chemistry? In relationship research, romantic chemistry is recognised as a multifaceted, emergent experience. It can include attraction, emotional connection, interactive engagement, and a sense of mutual responsiveness. Importantly, chemistry is not viewed as a fixed trait residing in one person, but as something that arises between two people through interaction. When researchers examine how people themselves describe chemistry, however, a more specific pattern emerges. A recent qualitative study published in Behavioral Sciences, found that while participants acknowledged chemistry could involve multiple elements, the most commonly cited and immediately recognised experience was an instantaneous spark - a felt sense of connection, intensity, or attraction early in an interaction, rather than a gradual assessment of compatibility or emotional safety (Devenport et al., 2025). Why the spark feels so convincing That immediate spark carries weight because it is physiological as much as psychological. Early romantic chemistry is associated with activation of the brain’s reward and motivation systems, including increased dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurochemicals involved in focus, pursuit, and salience. The body feels energised, attention narrows, and the other person begins to stand out in a way that feels meaningful. This response is not irrational. From an evolutionary perspective, rapid bonding had adaptive value. From a learning perspective, our nervous systems are shaped by repeated relational experiences. Attachment research helps explain why this kind of activation can feel meaningful so quickly. Our nervous systems learn through experience what closeness feels like, and over time they become efficient at recognising familiar patterns. When past intimacy involved emotional intensity or heightened engagement, the body may respond swiftly to similar cues, even before conscious evaluation has a chance to catch up. (Mikulincer et al., 2020). 1Chemistry, then, is neither imagined nor accidental. But it is also not a verdict. It is a signal that arrives early and speaks loudly. When chemistry starts doing more than it should Problems arise when chemistry shifts from being an opening signal to becoming the deciding factor. When people over-index on chemistry, two familiar patterns tend to emerge. In one, the absence of chemistry limits pursuit. Dates can go well. Conversation can flow. The other person may be emotionally available, respectful, even aligned with what someone says they want. And yet, without chemistry, interest stalls. Many people describe this not as rejection, but as resignation: “I know they’re good for me, but I don’t feel anything.” The relationship does not end; it simply never begins. In other cases, the opposite happens. A relationship starts with strong chemistry. People invest quickly and overlook early warning signs. That initial pull shapes the decision to begin the relationship and continues to guide it even if doubts surface. Concerns are registered, but they carry less weight. Over time, it becomes clear how much chemistry has been steering judgment from the beginning. Because the nervous system is activated, the mind works to maintain coherence, often finding reasons to persist rather than pause. In both cases, chemistry is doing more work than it should either preventing people from staying curious enough for other forms of connection to develop or pulling people forward too quickly. What chemistry can and cannot tell you Research consistently shows that long-term relationship satisfaction is far more strongly predicted by responsiveness, repair after conflict, and emotional attunement than by early intensity alone (Overall & Lemay, 2021). Chemistry does not reliably predict these capacities. Chemistry can tell you that your system is activated, your attention is engaged, and something feels compelling or familiar. What it cannot tell you is how conflict will be handled, whether needs will be met consistently, or whether emotional safety will deepen or erode over time. From a nervous-system perspective, this distinction matters. Stephen Porges’ work on Polyvagal Theory describes how the autonomic nervous system continuously scans for cues of safety and threat, shaping whether we feel socially open, vigilant, or withdrawn. When systems are accustomed to high arousal, intensity can be misread as connection and calm can register as disinterest. In such cases, chemistry reflects nervous-system conditioning more than relational compatibility (Porges, 2022). 2The consequences of over-indexing on chemistry often appear later, in hindsight. When chemistry dominates judgment, it can obscure both warning signs and possibilities. Chemistry as one voice among others A more grounded way to relate to chemistry is to treat it as one voice in a larger conversation. It deserves attention, but it should not be allowed to dominate the discussion or determine the outcome on its own. Qualities such as emotional safety, mutual responsiveness, values alignment, and repair after conflict tend to speak more slowly. They require time and exposure to reveal themselves. When chemistry drowns them out, decisions are made with incomplete information. Wanting chemistry is not the problem. The issue arises when it is allowed to outweigh every other form of relational information. Chemistry can open the door, spark curiosity, and make connection feel alive, but sustaining love depends on quieter, more consistent signals - emotional presence, repair, respect, and reliability over time. The goal is not to mute the spark, but to place it in context. Chemistry speaks loudly, but wisdom often emerges only after the initial intensity had time to settle.  References Devenport, L., et al. (2025). Exploring lay understandings of romantic chemistry. Behavioral Sciences, MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/3592440 Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., & Ein-Dor, T. (2020). Attachment orientations and emotion regulation in close relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 25, 86–91. Overall, N. C., & Lemay, E. P. (2021). Attachment, responsiveness, and well-being in romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 43, 110–115. Porges, S. W. (2022). Polyvagal theory: A science of safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, 871227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.871227 3

Starting Fresh: Setting Intentions & Mindful Beginnings

By Praveen Kaur • January 9, 2026
Welcome to 2026 (You’ve Already Landed) By the time you’re reading this, we are already in 2026. No countdown. No confetti. No dramatic soundtrack. Just you living, showing up, doing your best. Whether you realised it or not, you crossed into this new year carrying something with you. Not a suitcase. Not a planner. A carry-on . The Invisible Luggage We All Bring Your carry-on isn’t visible but it’s always with you. Inside it might be: • Expectations you didn’t consciously choose • Emotional habits you’ve perfected over time • Unfinished conversations (with others… and yourself) • Coping strategies that once helped but now weigh you down And also… because let’s be fair • Resilience • Hard-earned wisdom • Boundaries you finally learned to set • Strength you didn’t know you had Not everything in your carry-on is a burden. But not everything belongs on this journey either. We Don’t Usually Check Our Carry-On Most of us keep moving. We assume: • “This is just how I am.” • “This has always worked for me.” • “I’ll deal with it later.” But over time, the carry-on gets heavier because we get busy “chasing”. What once felt manageable becomes: • Emotional fatigue • Reactivity • Quiet resentment • A sense of being constantly ‘on’ And we wonder why rest doesn’t quite restore us. A Gentle Question for 2026 Pause for a moment and ask yourself: What am I still carrying that I no longer need? Awareness is the first step. Not everything has to be unpacked all at once. What remains unchecked often: • Shapes our reactions • Influences our relationships • Determines how safe, calm or overwhelmed we feel Letting Go Isn’t Losing, It’s Choosing People don’t struggle because they’re broken. They struggle because they’re overloaded . Letting go doesn’t mean dismissing your past. It means honouring it without letting it run the present. In 2026, growth may look less like adding tools and more like: • Unlearning • Softening • Creating space What Deserves Space in Your Carry-On? As this year unfolds, consider revisiting your inner luggage. What’s worth keeping close? • Self-compassion • Curiosity • Honest communication • Support (yes, including professional support) What might be ready to stay behind? • Guilt that no longer teaches • Hyper-independence that isolates • Expectations that were never yours to carry Mental and emotional wellbeing isn’t about arriving lighter overnight. It’s about learning to: • Check in with yourself regularly • Notice when the load feels too heavy • Ask for support before exhaustion sets in Therapy, coaching and nurturing workshops offer a space to gently unpack without judgement, without rushing and without needing to have it all figured out. Moving Through 2026, Intentionally You are allowed to move forward differently this year. Not faster. Not harder. Just more consciously . So, as you continue into 2026, take a quiet moment to ask: What’s in my carry-on and am I ready to travel lighter? Because sometimes, the most meaningful shift isn’t a new destination. It’s what you choose to carry with you along the way.