I fi ssV'''' Do Fathers Have To Be Mothers? Webster’s Dictionary defines “androgyny” as, “having the characteristics of both sexes.” Is it true that fathers have to be mothers? No, they need to be fathers. While many men feel inade quate when it comes to parent ing a child, they may think that they have to “mimic” what the mother does to feel comfortable in this role. While all parents learn by “doing” on the job, fathering is not mothering any more than mothering is father ing. Fathers are quite capable of changing diapers and feeding an infant formula in a timely manner even without prior “ex perience.” During pregnancy some men gain weight, experience morning i.u SSrs* SUP £KErtl ss£=l= sSHSSS S«SS SSsSrif :»-=?£?= |gg gg|[ SPSS's } A' ; t!|| ' v S==f|l ' u~^~ J ‘^-^tpa sickness, and suffer postpartum depression. In fact, one study found that if fathers were in volved in the daily care of their infants during the first eight weeks after childbirth, the babies where more socially re sponsive and able to withstand stressful circumstances later during their school years. Fathering is important to the well being of children’s develop ment over time. Research has found that fathers play with their children differently, using fewer toys, when mothers were not present. Men encourage their children’s curiosity in the solution of intellectual and physical challenges, support children’s persistence in solving problems, and do not become over solicitous with regard to t . >( nlnrfol’ GtokninS r*? UlUrf*** ' lefil Growers ■SSSS PLAN NOW TO RESERVE YOUR AD MESSAGE SPACE FOR THIS SPECIAL SECTION OF LANCASTER FARMING their children’s failures. As boys grow up, their natural instinct to nurture is often repressed by society’s interpre tation of the expected “male role.” It has been found that boys will show this natural in stinct to nurture after the birth of siblings, the entrance of pets , into the family, or through con cern for the physically vulnera ble. Boys may not outwardly exhibit a strong nurturing tend ency, but it is there. Take a close look at the things your son does in .your home, and determine if he exhibits a natu ral nurturing instinct. You will probably find instances when he has So, if men have the nurturing instinct built in, why do they often feel uncomfortable show ing it? As a society somewhere along the way, openly nurturing fa thers became taboo. You could feel it, but you just couldn’t show it in public. Men, it’s time to reawaken your instincts and become the nurturer you were intended to be! Your children will thrive on it, their mother will truly appreci ate it, and you will find that fathering is the most satisfying thing you will ever accomplish in life. Being an active nurturing father is a precious gift to a GROWER and MARKETER SATURDAY, MAY 20 ADVERTISING DEADLINE FRIDAY, MAY 12 Promoting The Eastern Vegetable, Fruit, Nursery and Direct Marketing Business ADVERTISER CALL 717-626-1164 NOW! Ida’s Notebook Ida Risser When I was hunting the spell ing of a particular tree that grows on a farm near me, I came across my father’s 194 S account book. The tree that I was inter ested in is the Royal Paulownia named for a Russian princess. It is a rapid-growing tree that resembles a catalpa. The fra grant upright violet flowers grow in clusters. The lightweight whitish wood is exported to Japan for furniture. But back to the account book that I found. It certainly is inter esting to compare prices. Some how I cannot get accustomed to child. For those of you who are al ready active nurturing fathers, our hats off to you because you are a mentor to your own sons. IT ( —'ij CLOSED SUNDAYS, NEW YEAR, EASTER MONDAY, ASCENSION DAY, WHIT MONDAY, OCT. 11, THANKSGIVING, FVBNITV>C CHRISTMAS & DECEMBER 26TH FISHERS FURNmjRE, INC. NEW AND USED FURMTURE USED COAL & WOOD HEATERS COUNTRY FURNITURE & ANTIQUES BUS. HRS. BOX 57 MON.-THURS.B-5 1129 GEORGETOWN RD. FHt 8-8, SAT. 8-12 BART, PA 17503 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 6, 2000-89 today’s prices. He paid 50 cents for a haircut and IS cents a gallon for gas. A battery for his tractor was $14.95, and five gallon of oil was $4.25. The coal that he purchased cost $l3 per ton and that was delivered. He bought a 40-foot ladder for $5 and a New Idea spreader for $215. The taxes were in the hun dreds instead of the thousands. A bushel of seed corn was $9, one hundred pound of timothy seed $lO and five bags of seed Cobblers $22.50. The 5-10-10 fertilizer cost him $3B per ton. Each year he bought chicks and raised them in a round metal brooder house. They needed a lot of attention. When they were grown a huckster came each week to buy the eggs. Some chickens were dressed and sold on the Northern Market in Lancaster together with honey and black walnuts. Even though prices were low compared to today, I’m sure the income from the farm was low too. He sold five lambs for $3l and one bull for $2OO. He fed steers and also raised tobacco to pay the bills. His personal expenses for the year were listed as: two shirts $2, two overalls $3.78 and shoes re paired $3. Not everyone wrote down each penny that they spent as he did. PROBLEM MILK? Don't Dump Your Hard Work Down The Drain I Making Cheese With Your Milk Preserves Its Value 4-Milking Penalty Warm Milk No Milk Market CALL THE CHEESEMAKER We’ll Take Care of Everything Toll Free 888/624-3373 717/933-4385 NEED YOUR FARM BUILDINGS PAINTED? Let us give you a price! Write: Daniel’s Painting 637-A Georgetown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (or leave message) (717) 687-8262 Spray on and Brush in Painting