We at GreatDad are obviously strong believers that moms and dads have different parenting styles. Both are important and play different roles in the emotional, moral, and intellectual development of the child. While we also believe that children thrive on love, positive parenting, and supportive environments, we can’t help but be more and more persuaded of how much is “hard-wired” in each individual.

We had an opportunity to talk with Michael Gurian about these subjects and his new book, Nurture the Nature. His thoughts are especially interesting to us since they underscore the crucial role dads play in the development of the child.

Are moms and dads interchangeable as parents?

Moms and dads create different types of bonds with their children — you can’t measure the father bond through the lens of the mommy bond. While the mommy/infant bond is primary during the first two years of life, dads must bond with babies during the first five years to develop the trust, reliance and respect for their fathers that will become even more important to their development as they reach pre-adolescence. Additionally, dads that bond with their babies during this time are far more likely to stay with them through separation or divorce.

To read more, go to GreatDad.com for the other parts of this article:

What critical elements do dads bring to parenting?

When are the most critical times for dad to spend time with children?

Who gets credit or blame for the successes or problems we see in our kids?

How about the child who plays video games and doesn’t engage in the world?

We love this idea so much we’re asking Jennifer and James to join our contributing authors on GreatDad.com. This book, and sentiment, would make a fine gift for new dads. In my experience, real close bonding with my kids didn’t happen for me until they were about three and a half. I felt guilty about it at first, but came to appreciate the changing roles of moms and dads as the baby grows up. The baby also wants mommy so desperately for a long time, that it’s normal for dad to sometimes feel a little bit outside looking in. Great Dads won’t resent that, but prepare themselves for the “age of dad,” around four to five, when dad becomes the king of fun around the house, if he wants that role. Still, any book that offers tips to bring you closer to the baby is good during those early days, especially since you’re setting the pattern (for you and your child) for a lifetime to come. The Baby Bonding Book for Dads: Building a Closer Connection With Your Baby by James Di Properzio, Jennifer Margulis