(CMR) A program designed to enhance and support the skills and behavior of fathers living apart from their children is expected to start next month.
The Family Resource Centre (FRC) begins its initial Fathers First program of the year on Monday, February 1, 2021.
The 10-week group sessions, running each Monday, was set up to support men’s parenting in the household or following divorce and separation.
“The goal of this course is to enhance and support positive parenting by providing participants with the skills and tools for maintaining long-term relationships with their child or children,” FRC’s program coordinator Charmaine Miller said.
“Our interactive sessions encourage input from participants and are specifically designed to benefit the participants and the women and children in their lives,” she added.
During the sessions, subjects discussed include parenting responsibly, managing children’s behaviors, building a strong support network, and overcoming barriers to fathering.
Fathers First, which started in 2012, is FRC’s response to helping redress the increasing number of children living apart from their biological fathers and the need to strengthen the role of fatherhood in nuclear families.
“Children need their fathers, fathers need their children but parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual,” program facilitator Andrae Bailey said.
He said the course offers evidence-based strategies to parent effectively. Each session will actively involve fathers in identifying ways to improve their parenting skills and address challenges. Bailey added,
“This is not a course where the facilitator has all the answers, participants are also encouraged to share and come up with practical solutions.”
Research supports the benefits of father involvement for children, families, and the community. Studies also strongly point to the wider benefits men themselves gain from active fathering.
The presence of the father not only enhances the well-being of men, it is shown to improve the economic and social welfare of children and mothers.
In fact, in some cases, the absence of a father is a major factor in increasing delinquency and violence.
The FRC confirms that it will offer its Fathers First program as often as demand dictates. In order to limit barriers to access, free childcare, meals, and other inducements will also be available.
For more details and to reserve a place, please contact 949-0006 or email [email protected]
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