In an age when technology has seemingly taken over the task to raise this generation, three modern dads tell Iggy Fenech how they spend time with their offspring.

Although I’m a gener-ation younger than the fathers in this article, and a generation older than the children they now raise, it is quite surprising to see just how much life has changed over the course of the four decades that bind us together.

Gone are the days in which child-ren used to play on the streets, gone is the excitement of waiting for 4pm to chime on the clock for another episode of Bim Bum Bam on Canale 5, and gone are the days when a Tamagotchi or a Game Boy were the most advanced pieces of technology a child would ever come in contact with. Today, it’s all about the tablets and the internet, the PS3s and the Wiis; and one could easily be forgiven for thinking that children nowadays are less likely to interact with others.

But there are bonds that not even technology can break, like those between mother and child and father and child, which seem to transcend all of this and live on.

Here, in honour of Father’s Day 2014, three modern and working dads tell us how they spend time with their children.

Bertrand Attard, Vivi and Marley.

“The entire experience of being a dad is fantastic,” says Bertrand Attard, CEO of Premier Capital and father to Marley, 5, and Vivi, one. “Nothing can make you happier than spending time with your child-ren, and seeing them enjoying themselves is the best reward.

“Fatherhood is a true journey of discovery, starting from that first time you hold your child and then every day thereafter. You watch them as they grow and learn and develop their abilities, until, slowly, you see their character and personality unfold.

“I have great memories of my childhood,” Bertrand continues. “Especially of going on long trips with my family and discovering new places. That said, I couldn’t say that I try to emulate the same activities with my own children. This could be because they are both still very young, so maybe in the years to come there will be some moments that recapture some of my childhood experiences.

“I think that, in general, children are not overly complicated and can be easily entertained. So, be it as a family or just by myself alone with the girls, I love spending days out and about doing whatever comes to mind.

“Nevertheless, I really think technology is an integral part of our lives today, and so I can’t say I make a particular effort to limit my children’s access and time spent with technology.

“Ultimately,” Bertrand concludes, “I believe in self-regulation unless there is a real dependency issue. You can find all types of tech gizmos in our house, but this does not mean that my children are consistently glued to them; in fact, on most occasions they seem to prefer a paper and a set of paints!”

Technology, however, can also be educational, and few can deny the fact that it helps bring people together. In fact, if used well, it can be a great catalyst for the father-child relationship.

“I actually don’t try to get them away from technology,” says Frank Vella, a machine setter and a father of two. “I try to teach them IT skills, get them to enjoy educational videos on YouTube and read e-books.

“Also, as time goes by, Michela, my elder, is showing more interest in the world around her, and uses the laptop to research pictures of countries and landmarks around the world. I do try to restrict her time on technology sometimes, but only when she plays games that have no educational substance to them.

Frank Vella, Elisa and Michela.

“Having said that, I enjoy spending time with Michela and Elisa off the computer too,” Frank says. “I like playing games with them and taking them on days out and we do a variety of things, from barbecues to walks in the countryside to visiting historical sites.

“Because my mum was and still is a housewife, when I was younger my father had to work long hours, and so we rarely had time to do anything together. He was still a great role model, mind you, but my role in the family today is very different to what his was back then.

“I try to attend parents’ day, spend time with my children, read them stories, go to the playground with them, check their homework and everything else that is necessary. Nevertheless, my father gave me the gift of music, and I’d like my children to be able to play a musical instrument like I do, as I believe it enhances their verbal and reasoning skills.”

Technology aside, modernity has also given us a wider range of opportunities and places to visit. It has made it easier to be adventurous and to find things that everyone will enjoy in their own way.

Andrei Vella Laurenti, Scarlett and Abraham.

“For many obvious reasons, fathers have a different bond to their children than the one mothers have. We need to build it up from scratch, and that gives us a lot of leeway,” explains Andrei Vella Laurenti, father to Scarlett, 5, and Abraham, just nine months old.

“Personally, I’m not big on sports, hikes and days out, but I do take Scarlett to the library, the cinema and museums, and we’ve even taken her to the orchestra, and she seemed to enjoy it.

“While with my younger one it’s just playing with whatever is amusing to him at that particular moment, with Scarlett it is more demanding. Having said that, taking her out for chocolate chip cookies is hardly a demand I can say no to. When I’m at home, however, I like reading her stories and I even encourage her to tell me her own … We’ve even started playing chess together!

“When I was younger,” Andrei continues, “I remember wrestling and pillow-fighting with my father on the bed. I’m obviously not going to wrestle Scarlett, but she does love a good pillow fight.

“As for how other dads could spend time with their children, I would say that they shouldn’t plan things but let the circumstances lead them. I think children have a very interesting way to look at their environment and you might be surprised as to where you end up.”