--- title: This One Habit Will Help Dads Sustain Change description: Help dads sustain positive changes with accountability partners. Learn how trust, reciprocity, and regular communication can boost intrinsic motivation for personal growth and positive change image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_one-habit-help-dads-change.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/this-one-habit-will-help-dads-sustain-change#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) [General Fatherhood Program Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/general-fatherhood-program-resources) # This One Habit Will Help Dads Sustain Change 1 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![One habit will help dads sustain change](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_one-habit-help-dads-change.jpg?width=814&height=465&name=NFI_Blog_one-habit-help-dads-change.jpg) If you’ve been working with dads for a while, you know they can backslide in sustaining positive change. Why? Like any positive change humans try sustaining, even the most determined dads can falter in trying to be better fathers. They’re only human, after all. While you can’t help dads avoid all fathering’s pitfalls, you can reduce the number they’ll encounter. You can also help dads recover more quickly from pitfalls when they encounter them. How? With a tool you’re probably aware of but might not have thought to use in working with dads: accountability partners. Accountability partners help each other maintain a commitment to positive behavior change. They keep each other on track and help course-correct when either one deviates from their behavior-change plan. Within the context of behavior-change programs, accountability partners: - Increase [engagement](https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/fb85b8bb-6e60-44eb-b858-9d3c694097d2/content) with program elements. - Improve [adherence](https://www.forhers.com/blog/accountability-partner) to behavior-change plans. - Increase [motivation](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3221353/) to personal goals. Where can dads find accountability partners? If you run a fatherhood program, an ideal accountability partner is another dad in the program. That’s because of several factors that [increase](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3221353/) accountability partnerships’ effectiveness: - **Trust and Benevolenc**e: Partners see each other as trustworthy and kind. As dads bond in a program, they feel more trust and care for one another. - **Reciprocity:** The relationship benefits both partners. Dads realize that having someone in their corner—especially another dad who understands them—is a game-changer. - **Intrinsic Motivation:** Each partner is motivated from within to become a better father. - **Regular Communication:** Because dads see each other regularly, they have more opportunity to connect and monitor each other. The benefits of this tool is why “Works with An Accountability Partner” is one of the habits in National Fatherhood Initiative®’s [*24:7 Dad®** **Key Behaviors Workshop*](https://store.fatherhood.org/247-dad-key-behaviors-workshop-facilitators-kit/?hsLang=en). This one-day workshop teaches 12 habits that help dads build and maintain the five traits of the 24:7 Dad. But you don’t need a fatherhood program to help dads find an accountability partner. It can be anyone a dad trusts, believes has his best interests in mind, will support him with compassion, and is committed to regular communication. Is there an opportunity to integrate accountability partnerships in your work with dads? What about your own life? Could an accountability partner help you with a change you’re making? Date Published: 04/01/2025 Last Updated: 04/01/2025 ## 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! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/strategies-to-support-dads-of-children-with-developmental-disabilities) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/the-key-to-launching-a-local-fatherhood-initiative) ## Related Articles ### [Limited Blog Series: Supporting My Co-Parent Image created with GPT Image 2. 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