Thank you for continuing to carry a heart for fathers and their families through these difficult times. Like me, you’ve probably been wondering what happened to all the plans you made at the beginning of the year, and in some way grieving, both for your own ‘losses’, and alongside all those who have suffered greatly. And now that the dust is starting to settle a bit, you may be asking yourself, how can we continue to support fathers and their families, when we can’t meet up easily? There’s no substitute for gathering together as dads, father figures and children for quality time in a Who Let The Dads Out? group, and we’re sure that groups will start meeting again, albeit with some challenges to negotiate and manage COVID-19 risks. But the experiences of the last four months, have also inspired many groups to explore imaginative new ways of ‘getting together’. This, our first newsletter since lockdown began, is dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities that 2020 has brought. We hope you find it both helpful and encouraging, and whilst we certainly don’t have all the answers, we’re more than happy to chat through any questions you have, so by all means get in touch. Best wishes Tony Who Let The Dads Out? on the telly The 21st June was Father’s Day and to mark the occasion, the BBC ran a piece on Who Let The Dads Out? on their Sunday Morning Live programme. Filmed in Chester on the 17th June, the article features four fathers from the local group talking about their experiences of fatherhood, particularly through the period of lockdown, and how Who Let The Dads Out? has helped them. It’s available to view on iPlayer and starts at 39 minutes into the programme. Playtime – In your lounge – 25th-26th September This year’s Playtime conference is online, free of charge, and carries the theme of how to be salt and light to our communities. Here is just a sample of the content that promises to be so relevant and helpful for any of us who run a group for dads and children, whether our groups are focused on dads with toddler-age children, or a broader age-range. · Care for the Family’s Katharine Hill will ask “Can we find some ’treasures in the darkness’ that will make a difference to the way we lead our groups?” · Rachel Turner, Parenting for Faith pioneer, will share three ways our natural ‘saltiness’ can bless, encourage and transform the families we serve. · Mark Chester’s workshop will draw out some of the similarities and some of the differences between a parent and toddler group and a Who Let The Dads Out? group, as he explores how toddler groups can be more inclusive and welcoming to dads. · Jennie Frost will share about mental well-being in new parents and families and keeping mentally healthy in these uncertain times. · Jo Gordon, Chief Executive of Daniel’s Den, will lead a session based on her experiences of providing daily online services, exploring how to get the most out of virtual groups. Online Meetings A Who Let The Dads Out? leader has reported his experience of running a 1-hour Zoom-based session for his group. It went well, with a small number of dads and their children joining in. To engage the children he included a simple scavenger hunt with a list of items for the kids (with dad’s help if needed) to go and find and bring back to show on screen, and talk about. He said “it was so good to catch up with some of our families and find out how they are doing, and to see both dads and kids engage online”. Meanwhile, our training team have put together a great guide for running a course online. Some Who Let The Dads Out? groups have been running parenting sessions online, and this leaflet is ideal if you’re thinking about doing that, but the guidance it contains is equally relevant to hosting an online group session. Becoming a new dad Here at Care for the Family, we’ve just created a new leaflet designed specifically for men who are about to become a father for the first time. Written by Who Let The Dads Out? founder, Mark Chester, it is designed to help expectant dads to begin the process of bonding with their yet to be born baby, by thinking through some key questions and beginning to imagine what their child will be like. “Fortunately, we had an excellent midwife, who went out of her way to make it clear that my presence was necessary and valued. She made me feel needed, and feeling needed is powerful. It makes you do things you did not think you were capable of, including things you would previously have baulked at. It makes you believe in yourself, and I believe it made me a better father.” |