Dads' toddler groups
Although many toddler groups are seeing a welcome rise in the number of men attending, most remain a predominantly female domain. Making a room full of women and babies ‘father-friendly’ can be a major challenge. Instead, many churches are taking a different approach by starting separate groups especially for dads.
These groups are essentially similar to traditional mother and toddler groups, but are generally run on a Saturday morning and involve providing breakfast and newspapers for the dads in addition to the usual toys, squash and biscuits for the children. Many are run monthly rather than weekly, and use group texts, emails, Facebook and twitter to send out a reminder a few days before.
The benefits are also similar to mother and toddler groups in providing a safe environment for the children to play, a chance for the adults to chat and support each other, and an opportunity for the church to engage with parents from the local community.
One example is ‘Who Let The Dads Out?’, which began in Hoole Baptist Church in March 2003 and has since grown into a national initiative with groups across the UK. One of their dads said, ‘I was terrified at the thought of spending two hours with my boys on my own but the ‘Who Let The Dads Out?’ session has helped me to really enjoy spending time with them.’
Eddie, who attends a group in Chester with his daughter, explains, ‘It’s a great way for me to spend a couple of hours with Tallula. It’s filled with children and dads having a really fun time – dads who want to spend time with their kids. I hadn’t really observed Tallula interact with anyone other than family, friends or neighbours. Seeing her play, fight, laugh, get excited and shout with other children was fascinating.’ Since attending the group he says, ‘I am more confident with Tallula; there is more trust between us. Our relationship has improved and we enjoy giving Mum a break.’
Who Let The Dads Out? is a national organisation which supports dads’ toddler groups. This is their guide to setting up a group:
- Convince your church leaders to share your vision for a dads and toddlers group.
- Gather a team of volunteers to run a session. You could even use people from other churches or charities.
- Order some Who Let The Dads Out? flyers and print details of your session on the reverse.
- Mobilise the parent and toddler group leaders to promote the session to their families – often, if the mums are convinced they could have some time off, they will ensure the dads come along!
- Buy as large a grilling machine as you can afford – making bacon butties will be much easier!
- Design a good craft activity the families can take away with them; it’s a dad’s certificate of attendance!
- Put someone friendly on the door to shake hands and welcome each family. Get them to sign in with their child, including their mobile number so you can text them a reminder for the next session.
- Have a range of books, magazines and leaflets about fatherhood available and encourage borrowing.
- Consider follow-on activities, such as mid-week football, the five-session ‘Daddy Cool!’ parenting programme, ‘Soul Man?’, Alpha or ‘SODA’ (School’s Out, Dad’s About) group.
- Finally, make the most of special events such as Father’s Day or the World Cup.
You can contact them for help and advice, as well as registering your group at www.wholetthedadsout.org
To see a dads’ toddler group in action, complete with bacon butties and song time, watch the YouTube video of the Dambusters group in Christ Church, Billericay.
Last Updated 06 December 2010
This information is supplied in good faith, but Care for the Family cannot accept responsibility for any advice or recommendations made by other organisations or resources.
Engage is a Care for the Family initiative - a Christian response to a world of need.
A Registered Charity (England and Wales: 1066905; Scotland: SCO38497)