You can see the whole conversation on YouTube,

but here are some of the highlights regarding what fathers think about ways to be present and some of the challenges they've found:

• Start where the child is. Watch, wait, observe. You will often find out something unexpected that you can build on.
• Avoid interrupting; this makes it hard for one's children and wife. Learn to listen and wait until people finish what they are saying. Interrupting usually comes from thinking about what you're going to do or say instead of being present with what the other is saying. Try to allow a pause after someone finishes speaking in order to avoid interrupting.
• It can be frustrating to engage a child who prefers video games. Limit screen time. In the summer, there is more unscheduled free time which may be more challenging.
• When a child has a physical disability it forces a father to pay attention since she needs hand over hand assistance with everything, but there can still be a lot of frustration.
• Besides being patient and listening, show interest by asking a question when there is a small pause. Get your child to explain what he is interested in.  Learn the names of the characters in their favorite movie, etc.  We may have to accept that we do not like the activity in order to interact with our child.
• Showing interest in what your child is interested in is key. To ask a child to enter our world, we have to enter his first.