How to be a Super Dad

Sleepless nights and crèche runs used to be the lot of the working mother, but now working fathers are feeling the strain too.

This comes as no surprise to parenting coach Sheila O'Malley, who has seen an increase in the number of men attending her courses in recent years. "Much more is expected of the Irish father these days," says Sheila.

"Now both parents are working, no one is in a supporting role. Men are juggling a lot more than they were a decade ago." Now up to 50pc of her courses are attended by men, with many of them coming on their own. "They are forging their own relationships with their children and this is very enriching for them, but they are under pressure and they need to learn how to multi-task."

A new report, published in the UK by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has revealed the extent of these pressures. According to The Fathers, Family and Work report, some 54pc of fathers with children under one felt they were not devoting enough time to them, while 42pc felt they were not able to spend enough time with their children. Some 62pc thought that, in general, fathers should spend more time caring for their children, yet six out of 10 were working more than 40 hours a week.

By Nikki Walsh ©Independent.ie

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