We all know that mothers are homebuilders and love being around the family all the time. (Well, most anyway). But we often spend less time thinking about what dads need.

Evolutionarily speaking, it’s actually quite clear. Men need “man time.” They need space away from the rest of the tribe to explore and scratch their independence itch. It’s a good idea, therefore, to find opportunities to give men their space so that they can enjoy their family time more. And space shouldn’t just be work, but other activities too. Men need to feel like they’re doing more than just working to provide income for their families.

For dads, “me time” can take all sorts of forms. Fishing is a favourite pastime. It’s one of the reasons you find so many dads keenly scouting out for the next carp reels sale! Dads also love hikes in nature, cycling, and time at the golf course with their buddies. Failing that, there’s always the bar.

But why are dads so obsessed with having their space?

It’s A Biological Need

Dads, for the most part, aren’t homemakers. Instead, their role is to go out and get the food that the tribe needs, explore new territories, and generally learn about the natural environment. But the modern world denies those luxuries to a lot of men. Finding time outside of work and family to pursue the modern equivalents is difficult. For many men, therefore, Saturday morning is man time. It’s a window in the week that allows them to indulge in some of their primal passions.

It Makes For A Better Work-Life Balance

Men don’t want to work all day in the office and then continue working once they get home. Instead, they need some fun in their lives. There has to be a payoff somewhere. That’s why creating dad space can actually improve family life. When men know that they have time to themselves doing something they enjoy, it motivates them to do everything else that they want to do with their week.

It Gives Dads A Chance To Refresh

You know how you can feel totally different in the morning compared to the night before? Well the same applies to before and after man time, especially there’s exercise involved. If you’re being physically active, it can totally change your mood and your outlook on your family situation.

It Reinforces Your Agency

Too many men forget to do the things that they want to do in life. This is the wrong approach and sets up problems with life satisfaction in the future. You want to be able to balance family life with your personal interests.

Try to set aside time for yourself. Take it when you need it. If you experience blow-back, push back. You need to take a little space for yourself sometimes.

So there you have it: some of the reasons that dads need their space. The more the rest of the family gives, the more valuable and energetic dad will become.