New York, NY, June 12, 2012—Just in time for Father’s Day, Working Mother publishes the “10 Lessons from Working Dads” in the June/July issue of the magazine and on workingmother.com. Follow WM on Twitter and Facebook.

Working Mother’s article states, “Sometimes they drive us nuts! If they’d only do it our way…but guess what, moms—there are some things dads do at home and at work that, just maybe we should be doing too.” The magazine’s logo has been changed to“Working Father” for the first time ever to celebrate Dad.  Ten Lessons:

  1. A little “rough play” is A-OK.  “Many moms are a touch squeamish about this, but most dads instinctively realize that regular rough-and-tumble time is part of Parenting 101,” the article says.
  2. Risk-taking can be healthy. Both at home and at work, guys are good at taking calculated risks. And they’re fine when kids do the same.
  3. Taking time off with the kids is a given. Brad Harrington, executive director of the Boston College Center for Work & Family, says, “If dads need to be out of the office for a school event, they don’t feel guilty or defend their choice; they’re just out for an appointment.”
  4. Competition can be cool.  The dad lesson here: Some healthy rivalry encourages kids to work harder and learn to face life’s disappointments.
  5. Asking for a raise is part of the game.  Men may be nervous about asking for money but they fake it really well—and they do it.  So, Mom, put on your best game face and go for that raise.
  6. Multitasking isn’t always good.  New research shows moms multitask 10 more hours a week than dads, and they feel more stressed about it when they do.  The best antidote? Delegate more chores to your spouse!
  7. Time for yourself is essential. Working dads often protest their “me time” fiercely, whether that means going to the gym or reading on the couch for a decent chunk of time…Put massages, yoga classes—whatever fuels you—on your calendar in ink.
  8. Don’t stew in it. Dads, partly due to their single-minded focus, are more apt to quickly recap mistakes, then move on to the next task.
  9. Kids need to explore—and even get lost sometimes. Kyle Pruett, MD. clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale says, “Most dads will say, “He’s fine, he’s exploring” and mean it. Of course, good dads are also keeping a close eye out to help when needed.”
  10. Lunchboxes and outfits and hair and…don’t have to be perfect. Dr. Pruett says in Working Mother, “I hear dads say it’s more important to feed the kids on time, maybe give them a little junk food, than to feed them perfectly.  Dads get the job done too.  They’re just more flexible about how it gets done.”