DIY DADS

DIY Dads - Supporting those with ‘Dad’ Responsibilities

This is my first independent project and something I have been wanting to do for the last few years. The role of ‘Dad’ has under gone many changes and a lot of men are stepping up to the challenge of increased childcare responsibilities. Services only tend to offer support when families reach crisis but I wanted to offer support to regular families. All parents need a bit of back up at times, I know I have.

Who is it aimed at? DIY Dads is aimed at any man who has childcare responsibilities. This can be biological fathers or step dads or male friends that are helping take care of the children. It includes boyfriends and grandfathers, full time and part time dads. Gay dads and straight dads, single or married, it is based in the idea that if you are male and you are involved in family childcare, then this is for you.

Why Dads only? There are support programmes for male and female parents as a mixed group, for example the Survival Guide sessions at EDAS in Poole. The reason I have said Dads only is because, in my professional experience, when you have a mixed group it can be difficult for men to be heard or for them to have time to consider issues specific to men.

The DIY Dads sessions are a blend of psycho-education about children’s developmental stages and needs, skills practice using established effective interventions and time for reflection on the changing face of fatherhood.