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Father Involvement at IMHP Rounds
Upcoming Infant Mental Health Rounds Presentation PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE NEXT IMH ROUNDS Thursday October 6 2016, 2 - 4 pm (EST) Dad Central - Supporting Father Involvement Presenter: Brian Russell, MSc, Provincial Coordinator, Dad Central Ontario, ON The Father Factor. We will look at the changes that men go through with the birth of their...
The Directive – Oct 3/16
Welcome to The Directive. This is a regular assortment of father related news stories, information, and fun stuff. The 2nd Canadian Father Invovlement Conference is booked for Mar 1 & 2, 2017 in Winnpeg, MB. This year's focus is Side-by-Side: Strategies for Working with Vulnerable Fathers. We are presently accepting submissions for...
A Cellphone for My Kid?
by John Hoffman Is my kid old enough to have her own cell phone? This has become one of the pressing little questions for parents, hasn’t it? I’m not even going to try to answer that question for you. So many factors are involved – your child’s maturity, money, where you live, how much time she spends away from you etc. But I do have some ideas...
The Directive – Sept 6, 2016
Welcome to The Directive. This is a regular assortment of father related news stories, information, and fun stuff. Fatherhood gets a lot of press in a new publication: Research Perspective on Work and the Tranistion to Motherhood. Fatherhood is the focus of world-wide research: Rwanda Brazil Bulgaria and The Netherlands Bangladesh Become...
Celebrating Dads at the Birth of Their Children
by John Hoffman Last June, the Huffington Post published a nice photo essay about fathers at the birth of their babies. They used a title that was total click bait: 35 Raw Birth Photos of Dads Welcoming Their Babies into the World. I usual ignore click bait but, since it was dads and birth I couldn’t resist having a peek. And they are great...
The Directive – Aug 23, 2016
Welcome to The Directive. This is a regular assortment of father related news stories, information, and fun stuff. Interested in the State of the World's Fathers? Check out this report from Promundo. This is a landmark study that draws on information from across the globe. Dad Central Canada has contacts in many areas across this great country....
Dads and Moms Needed: research on the impact of PPD on families
ARE YOU PREGNANT OR JUST HAD A BABY LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO? The Unviersity of Toronto has an exciting study for you to participate in! University of Toronto researchers are currently recruiting over 5000 new mothers AND fathers across Canada to participate in an innovative and exciting new study. We would like to learn more about the feelings,...
Dad Central Ontario – Annual Report
Dad Central Ontario (DCO) has been actively involved in new projects, partnerships, and networks throughout the past year. Here are the highlights of what we have done and where we have been.
#thingsdadsdo
Fatherhood is made up of a lot of things - middle-of-the-night wake up calls, trips to the drug store, hugs, tears, unsuccessful (and successful!) potty-training moments, tender moments, laughter, reading a bedtime story . . . again, adventure - and so much more. What are the #thingsdadsdo that you see or experience? Maybe its at home, or in the...
The Changing Face of Canadian Fatherhood: By the numbers
by John Hoffman People have been writing about the “new” father for more than thirty years. But, apart from our perceptions and personal experiences, what can we really say we know about much fathers in general have really changed in past generation or two? Oh, I have no doubt that Canadian fathers – what they do as parents and how they see their...
Fatherhood Changed Simon Cowell – It will change you, too
by John Hoffman I was intrigued, and a little amused, to see this headline the other day: “Fatherhood has changed my judging style: Simon Cowell.” Ha! So the famously critical celebrity judge, who has trashed all sorts of performers on shows like American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent, has gone a little softer now that he’s a dad. Awww. Simon...
Hockey May Be “Our Game”, but it isn’t Everybody’s Game
by John Hoffman Confessions of an un-hockey dad. The Stanley Cup final is on. And, while all kinds of Canadian fathers and kids will be sitting down to enjoy the series together, my boys and I won’t be among them. In some ways that’s surprising. I grew up watching the Leafs, playing road hockey and collecting hockey cards. I even played organized...
Up With Daddy Days!
by John Hoffman The federal government recently floated the idea of changing Canada’s parental leave policies to include “Daddy Days.” That’s a chunk of paid parental leave that can be taken only by fathers. I’ll gladly add my voice to those who want to see the feds follow through with this policy. Daddy Days is an idea whose time has come for...
A Father’s Grief
by John Hoffman At their very last routine prenatal check up, just one week before their baby was due, Rob and Leslie (not their real names) got the worst news expectant parents can ever get. There was no heartbeat. They were sent straight to the hospital where more sophisticated equipment confirmed that their boy had died in utero. Those...
The Four Most Important Things Dads Need to Learn
by John Hoffman “Children don’t come with a set of instructions.” It’s the oldest parenting cliché in the world. And, like most clichés it’s partly true. But even if kids did come with a set of instructions, being a parent is an ongoing learning journey. What are the most important things for dads to learn? Obviously, you need to learn how to...
Time Management for Dads: Prioritizing what matters and finding balance
By setting clear priorities, being flexible, organizing and planning, taking care of our physical and mental health, and making time for community involvement and spiritual practices, dads can successfully manage time and lead a fulfilling life.
Six Steps To Help Dads Control Their Budget & Reduce Stress
Budgeting isn’t always easy, but with a little bit of effort and discipline, you can take control of your finances and build a bright future for your family.
Parenting Hack: 7 Effective Ways for Dads to Tame Toddler Tantrums
Dealing with toddler tantrums can be tough, but with patience, understanding, and a little bit of know-how, you can effectively navigate these challenging moments and help your child learn healthy ways to cope with their emotions.
Bonding Through Spontaneous Adventure: 10 Ideas for Dads and Their Families
As a father, it’s important to make time for your family and create positive memories with them. One way to do this is by planning spontaneous adventures.