- Have a deeper understanding of what it really means to be a positive father.
- Improved fathering skills and enhanced relationships with their children.
- Increased confidence to manage challenging behavior.
- Practical strategies for empowering yourself and leading your child/ren, using mentoring / life coaching and leaderships skills.
- Recognise and value the real understanding between what the definition and difference of being a dad is to being a father.
Fathers for life
Positive Fathering course to enhance relationship and parenting sk
Positive fathering, a course to enhance relationships and parenting skills
ills
Course details
This course is targeted at biological fathers, paternal relatives and men who encounter similar issues as carers or significant father-figures in the lives of their partner’s or relatives’ children.
It’s primary target is fathers from African Caribbean and other Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, and this is reflected in the nature of some of the activities. However, it can be used or adapted with men from all social or ethnic groups, including:
- Natural, adoptive and foster fathers
- Guardians and carers
- Grandfathers, uncles and other paternal relatives
- Single parent fathers
- Men who are acting ‘in loco parentis’ (on behalf of a child’s biological parents)
The aim of this course is to:
- Raise awareness of the importance of positive fathering
- Explore and promote good fathering skills
- Consider ways of meeting the challenges of fatherhood
- Promote more effective communication
- Identify the strategies, trials and rewards associated with fatherhood
How does the course work
Group Training
The course consists of four learning modules for groups of up to sixteen fathers, paternal relatives or male carers working with one of our expert Institute of Wellbeing facilitators.
Practice
The activities are designed to highlight the importance and practice of positive fathering. The activities can be completed with men from a variety of different social or ethnic backgrounds, although some of the activities will be of particular relevance to BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) fathers.
Participants engage in focussed discussions and small group tasks, using images, case studies, scenarios, checklists and quotes about fatherhood to stimulate their ideas, encourage debate, raise individual awareness and promote learning. A comprehensive list of web-links provides considerable scope for research and follow-up.
Duration
Each module takes at least two hours to complete. The modules can be completed over:
- One day
- Two half days
- Four consecutive sessions at a time to suit the employer
What you will learn
By taking this course you should:
Course outline
Module 1 - Exploring Fatherhood
Participants are encouraged to explore their childhood experiences and role models; review the positive qualities they bring to fatherhood; identify aspects of their fathering they would like to change or improve; and consider the importance of seeing themselves through their children’s eyes.
Module 2 - Fathering Skills
Participants explore some essential parenting skills; consider the benefits of pro-active fathering from the moment of conception; focus on the challenges and requirements of respectful co-parenting and explore the benefits of passing on positive cultural traditions.
Module 3 - Fathering Challenges
Participants consider the challenges of raising children; explore how well they communicate with them; consider issues of discipline, behavioural boundaries and sexuality; and identify ways of encouraging honesty and trust.
Module 4 - Trials and Rewards
Participants are encouraged to share the trials and rewards of fatherhood, and their hopes and fears for their children; explore ways of coming to terms with being a ‘weekend dad’; thought about ways of improving their communication with teachers and ex-partners; and reflected on the meaning of unconditional love.
