by Deidra Romero posted in Parenting

We live in an era in which dads are more involved than ever.  A 2012 Pew study revealed that 16 percent of stay-at-home parents are actually dads. But still, the solar system of parenting revolves around mothers.
There?s a long-standing joke among moms that dads get praise for the tiniest things. They are applauded for doing all the things moms have done since the beginning of time. While this is true and points out a huge double standard, dads do deserve some credit.

Being an involved dad -- a dad who runs the bedtime routine and makes dinner and connects on an emotional level with his children -- well, that breed of dad is just now emerging in our society. And I think they deserve some serious applause for stepping up. Here are 12 ways these great dads relate to their kids.
1. They build rituals. My husband used to bundle our son up in a blanket before bed and take him outside to tell the moon and stars goodnight. It was the sweetest tradition they shared.
2. They tell stories about when they were kids.
3. They show their sons and daughters that affection is okay no matter how old they are.
4. They're not afraid of being silly.
5. They brag on their kids to other people when they know their children are listening.
6. They work on building a friendship with their kids. I don't know about you, but I'll never forget when President Obama spoke about his sweet friendship with his daughter Malia on the Ellen show.

7. They lead with em...