Resources for Dads

Many of my friends are in the stage of life where they are having babies. I have started to notice when a couple announces a pregnancy everyone tends to focus on the mother. Everyone will talk to her and ask her how she is feeling and doing. She is usually the only one who gets a baby shower, she gets maternity pictures taken and all of this is normal because she is carrying the baby. However, our society is starting to change. It is a new trend to have Baby showers for both mom and dad and photographers are doing maternity sessions with both parents as well. 


Dads are getting more attention and it is a beautiful thing!

Becoming a parent is just as great and scary for dads as it is for moms. One of my friends, a woman, told me that her husband was actually getting really stressed about becoming a dad because he felt so much pressure to be a good parent. This is something new, something he has never done before and he did not really know who to talk to about it.

There are lots of resources out there that offer parenting classes specifically for dads or even online resources. Manuals and blogs that can be read or even conferences to attend. Being a dad is such an important job and we want dads to succeed and feel supported. Here are some resources I wanted to highlight, but if you are looking for more or other types please call 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow.

Specific to Utah:

Hope Pregnancy Care Center- Fatherhood 101 class: provides education and support for www.hopepregnancyutah.org,

expecting fathers. While the father completes lessons and attends his appointments, he will earn “daddy dollars” than can be used to purchase necessary baby items.

Work with Washington, Iron, Kane, Garfield, and Beaver County

Kairos Academy- After school fatherhood and parenting classes for teen fathers. Classes offered as needed. Call to see availability. www.kairosacademy.org, West Valley City

Utah State University Extension Service- Healthy Relationships Utah offers parenting classes and has some specific to fathers. Check out their website or give them a call to find one near you, they have classes all throughout Utah. www.healthyrelationshipsutah.org/selectcounty

Online Resources:

www.fathers.com

www.fatherhood.org/free-resources-main - great free resources

www.fatherhood.gov/home - great ideas under the “For Dads” tab

www.thedailydad.org