--- title: "Dad Games Week 3 Recap: Affirming Your Kids" description: Week 3 of The Dad Games closes tonight and week 4 starts tomorrow. See what dads are saying about this week's challenge! image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/file-17554002-jpg/images/girloutstretchedarms-resized-600.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/bid/152637/Dad-Games-Week-3-Recap-Affirming-Your-Kids#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [father-son relationships](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/father-son-relationships) # Dad Games Week 3 Recap: Affirming Your Kids 3 min read ![Melissa Byers](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/melissa_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=melissa_circle_icon.png) [** Melissa Byers ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/melissa-byers) Melissa is the Chief Marketing Officer at National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI). Melissa oversees the organization's marketing, communications, graphic design, and product fulfillment functions. Today marks the last day of [Week 3: Gold Medal Dads…Affirm Their Kids](http://bit.ly/dg3affirm). With week three of The Dad Games closing tonight and week four starting tomorrow, we look back over a great week and see what other dads are saying about the week three of the Dad Games challenge. This week was vital to families, because an important part of being a Gold Medal Dad is affirming your child and showing affection. Showing affection and expressing praise may or may not come naturally to you as a dad, but it's important for your child to experience your love in visible, tangible ways. How you show love as a dad plays a big role in shaping a child's self-confidence and attitude. ![Dad Games affirm](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/file-17554002-jpg/images/girloutstretchedarms-resized-600.jpg?width=302&height=216&name=girloutstretchedarms-resized-600.jpg) **This past week, we challenged dads to seven activities: **1) Hug your kids every day: Hugs build bonds and fosters a sense of security and comfort. 2) Say "I love you:" Your kids know you love them; but hearing the words matters. 3) Compliment your kids. 4) Ask your kids for one way you can improve as a dad. 5) Say "thanks" as often as you can. 6) Make coming home a big deal. 7) Surprise them; do something nice or give them a treat. We challenged you to intentionally affirm your kids this week and you delivered. You shared stories and connected with your kids in an impactful way this week. We hope you enjoyed this week and were challenged as you connected with your kids using our checklist. As we close week two, let’s look back over the highlights from other dads just like you. Let these dads encourage you to get involved with The Dad Games. There’s only two weeks left! More importantly, be inspired to spend intentional time with you kids and family. Below are highlights from week three: **What Gold Medal Dads Are Saying About Affirming Their Kids **“Tell your kids several times a day how much you love them. Show your love for them. Be respectful to their mother.” –Ian Miller “Didn't have to be in court till 1:30 other day so took kids 2 playground in morning-many women asked if I was sick or unemployed #dadgames12” -- [@GeekDad248](http://twitter.com/GeekDad248) “Cheer practice now. Can't imagine 5yr olds learning 50 cheers. We shall see what happens. Good luck to coaches #DadGames12.”--Chris Delgado [@CDel58](http://twitter.com/cdel58) “I hug my daughter daily. #DadGames12” –Brian Tooley [@BrianTooley1](http://twitter.com/BrianTooley1) “I must say AWESOME a lot to my son because lately whenever he likes something he says "awesome" #DadGames12 – [@GeekDad248](http://twitter.com/GeekDad248) “Taking daughter to see the movie she has wanted to see all summer-Diary of a Wimpy Kid. She thinks we have errands tomorrow but NO! #DadGames12” – Brian Tooley [@BrianTooley1](http://twitter.com/BrianTooley1) “I knew my dad loved me from how he treated me but he never said the words - I make effort say "love you" to my kids #dadgames12” -- [@GeekDad248](http://twitter.com/GeekDad248) “Even though parents divorced, Dad never said bad word about my mother #Dadgames12” – Jon Wilke [@Jon_Wilke](http://twitter.com/jon_wilke) **Go Team Dad!
 **Week 3 may be coming to a close but you can join us for Week 4! Stay tuned for more information as we challenge you to be a Gold Medal Dad by Balancing Work and Family Responsibilities! **Question: What did you do this week to show your kid(s) you loved them?** ***Don’t forget to [sign up for our Dad Email](http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Y9XAqyV8VF0U-UZ03oBFkQiXfrDGxV-U) to get the weekly checklist.*** ![Dad Games 12](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/file-17553638-png/images/games_square-resized-600.png?width=93&height=93&name=games_square-resized-600.png)Visit [**The Dad Games of 2012**](http://bit.ly/dadgames12) for tips on connecting with your family.  Share and connect with other dads on the blog, [**Facebook**](http://www.facebook.com/nationalfatherhoodinitiative) and [**Twitter**](http://twitter.com/thefatherfactor) (#DadGames12). ``` photo credit: hlkljgk ``` Date Published: 08/07/2012 Last Updated: 06/11/2018 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! 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