Why Dad Bashing Needs to Stop
It may be all fun and jokes, but dad bashing can impact how your home is run and the way your kids see their parents.
Moms, we like to vent. Except we tend to vent about our spouses.
We rant on online forums and social media about dads glued to the computer with the baby propped on his lap. Or we harp on dads for messing up the nap schedule again. Even parenting books with “Just for Dads” sections assume moms do all the reading and must delegate to dads.
Sure, we may have good reason to vent. Maybe your partner does need to pitch in more with childcare and household duties. You could be the only one researching, scheduling, cooking, and feeding. Your comments may even be said with good intentions or humor.
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Why dad bashing needs to stop
But dad bashing and these stereotypes do little to resolve the issues we’re venting or laughing about to begin with. While commiserating with other moms who can relate can feel good at the moment, staying stuck in this mindset doesn’t help the situation.
It can cut deep ties, disguised as humor or exasperation. If you constantly joke about dad’s shortcomings, think twice before developing that habit. Here are three reasons why:
1. Dad bashing undermines dads
The more we laugh or vent about dads, the less opportunity we’re giving them to step up to the plate. Denying them their duties undermines their abilities and forces us to take them on.
We already assume they can’t handle tasks, or that we’re the only ones who can do them correctly. Refilling the fridge and labeling every container before heading out of the house sends the message that they can’t feed the kids on their own.
Venting and eye rolling also discourage them from pitching in. Let’s say you want your spouse to be the one to change the baby’s diapers. Expecting him to do it exactly as you do with no leeway makes him want to avoid it in the future.
The same is true with re-doing what he had done according to your standards. You may load the dishwasher a certain way, and for good reason—perhaps your arrangement packs in the most dishes efficiently.
But don’t re-arrange the dishes because he didn’t load them the way you did. He’ll likely notice and wonder why he should even bother.
Every one of us can’t be efficient if not given the opportunity—and the space to make mistakes—to try.
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2. You’re not working as a team
Dad bashing prevents parents from working as a team. Parenting becomes a divide between the two key people who ought to work as a unit. We might even “keep score” of who did what and bristle when we feel like we’re doing more than the other.
And for each complaint and task that we make fun of dads for, the same could be said about us moms. You may not install the carseats, take out the trash, or even make the bed, and that’s okay. But by bashing dads and joking about their inabilities, we forget that we need to work together.
3. Dad looks bad to the kids
Imagine the message we’re sending our kids about their dads with each joke and eye roll. Whether said with humor or not, finding fault in front of your kids makes dad look bad. You don’t want them to assume that he can’t handle the household without you around, or that he’s simply the babysitter.
Kids should see him as equally competent and carry the same weight and authority. Complaining about how he never goes to appointments or isn’t interested in school projects doesn’t help anyone.
What to do instead
Occasional venting is okay—the last thing you need is to bottle up your frustration because you don’t think it’s okay to express your feelings.
But chronic complaining prevents you from doing anything about the problem. Give yourself a few minutes to feel what you feel, then get right down to work. Here are three ways to turn dad bashing into constructive change:
1. Stop with the jokes
Whether online, with your friends, or in front of your kids, watch what you say about your partner. Never insult him in front of your kids—imagine if he did that with you.
If you’re venting, make it a constructive conversation with a friend, such as asking for ideas on how to get him more involved. Make online forums a place to look for suggestions, not another way to laugh about him behind his back.
We all get frustrated and need to vent, but don’t make it a habit, especially one that doesn’t help you solve the problem.
2. Communicate
Avoid heaving heavy sighs, hoping your spouse can get the hint. He won’t (he just knows you’re mad about something). Instead, discuss your concerns, with no defenses or accusations.
Keep your conversation focused on how you feel and how he could help. Admit your mistakes, such as micromanaging or not communicating early enough. Then, be open to suggestions he may have as well, like not jumping up each time a task comes up.
(How often have you assumed you’d be the one to do a task without asking him whether he’d be interested or available?)
And the best time to have this conversation? When you’re both in a good mood, not when you’re upset. You’re more likely to talk and see each other’s perspectives when you’re calm.
3. Don’t disrespect
That’s your partner, your children’s father. You can share your feelings, but avoid saying things so terrible about him that you couldn’t say them to his face.
Don’t assume he can’t do the simplest things (hint: he can, but he may need time and the chance to do them). Remember that he’ll make mistakes as he learns, just as you did. And communicate with the respect you would want to receive.
Conclusion
Sometimes, there’s a good reason that moms vent about dads. But doing so undermines dads and doesn’t allow us to work as a team. Dad bashing also sends the message that one parent isn’t as “good” as the other.
Instead, replace dad bashing with actively seeking solutions rather than a simple vent session. Hold honest conversations about both your needs and, above all, don’t disrespect him, no matter how frustrating.
And I get it: Hands-on fathers and being a great dad can still be a novelty. When only 32% of fathers from dual-income households are performing the same as moms, we have work to do. We need to bump that number higher, where all dads are just as involved with the kids as moms.
And one of the best places to start is to stop the dad bashing.
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