Father's Day 2026: Things Every Paediatrician Wishes Dads Knew

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A father's role goes far beyond providing for the family. From emotional support and playtime to daily care and health decisions, fathers have a powerful influence on their child's growth, confidence and overall well-being.

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Just like a mother, a child looks up to their father too. Yet in clinics, it's still mothers who show up most often - to appointments, to school events, to the daily rhythm of caregiving. Dr Sanju Sidaraddi, Consultant - Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, explains what fathers may be underestimating about their own impact, and why being a great dad doesn't require grand gestures.

Children Are Always Watching, Even When You're Not Performing

Children are constantly observing the people around them - how their fathers speak, behave, solve problems and treat others. "A father who shows kindness, patience, respect and responsibility passes these same values on to his child. Positive role modelling can shape a child's behaviour, confidence and social skills for years to come," said Dr Sidaraddi.

If a father is often irritable or raises his voice at home, a child can absorb these habits without anyone intending it. But a father who treats people with empathy, helps where he can and shows kindness teaches his child to extend the same - love, respect and trust - to others.

It's Quality Time, Not Quantity, That Builds The Bond

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"Many fathers worry they don't spend enough time with their children because of work and other responsibilities. But interaction matters more than duration. Reading a story, playing a game, going for a walk or simply asking about a child's day helps build a strong emotional bond," advised Dr Sidaraddi.

Playtime in particular supports learning, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills - making it one of the simplest, highest-value things a father can offer.

Daily Caregiving Builds A Different Kind Of Security

"Children benefit when fathers take part in everyday caregiving - feeding, bathing, helping with homework, attending school events, and being part of the bedtime routine. Involvement in this kind of routine care helps children feel secure and strengthens the parent-child relationship in ways that occasional grand gestures cannot," explained Dr Sidaraddi.

This tracks with the wider evidence: a meta-analysis on father involvement and early social-emotional development found that direct father-child interactions - play, teaching and shared experiences - offer benefits distinct from those of maternal involvement, with father-child interactions through play, teaching, and shared experiences offering unique benefits. In the Indian context, a cluster-randomised trial in rural Tamil Nadu specifically tested how increasing fathers' involvement in child-care shaped developmental outcomes, using a technology and social innovation-based intervention to improve fathers' participation in child-care within the existing ICDS framework.

Health Check-Ups Aren't Just A Mother's Job

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Many paediatric appointments are attended only by mothers, but fathers can play an equally important role. "Being present at health check-ups helps fathers understand their child's growth, nutrition, vaccinations and developmental milestones - and gives them the chance to ask questions and become active partners in their child's healthcare journey, rather than hearing about it second-hand," shared Dr Sidaraddi.

Supporting The Mother Is Supporting The Child

A healthy family environment benefits everyone and is essential to a child's positive development. When fathers support mothers - emotionally and practically - stress levels at home tend to drop. Children thrive in households where parents share responsibilities and work as a team rather than in parallel.

Research backs this link indirectly too: studies on father involvement in early childhood note that fathers' interpersonal support to mothers and shared household decision-making are positively associated with children's development, an effect that runs partly through maternal wellbeing, with greater father interpersonal support to mothers and greater participation in shared household decision-making positively associated with children's development, partially mediated through maternal wellbeing and behaviours.

Bottomline

The most meaningful impact a father makes often comes from small, everyday interactions - the ones that help a child feel loved, safe and supported as they grow. This Father's Day, the message from the clinic is simple: presence, not perfection, is what counts. Be part of the journey, and let your child grow up knowing they can thrive with confidence because of it.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.