That's why we still don't keep pace with mothers. In two-parent households, according to the National Center on Educational Statistics, mothers are twice as likely as fathers to be highly involved with their children's school. We fall behind at home as well. That's the same as Clifford the Big Red Dog. A poll last year by the Center also found that 40 percent of fathers never read to their children.
Men say their biggest obstacle to time with their kids is work, but that's no excuse.
Among working couples, mothers still bear the lion's share of childcare. Overcoming that instinct takes effort. More companies are going along with such requests, as evidence mounts that happy parents are more productive workers. Coach your kids' sports teams, even if it's as a part-time assistant. Develop daddy routines, like Saturday morning trips to the bakery.