Father and Mother Activities
Most mothers and fathers never receive instructions on how to parent their children and may not be aware of the kinds of experiences that have a major influence on the social and emotional development of a young child. Feeling unprepared to be a parent also puts added stress on the couple relationship. The goal of Family Expectations’ mom/dad activities and support groups is to empower couples to succeed as parents and partners, and make significant positive contributions in their children’s lives. Listed below are some of the extended activities that are offered to Family Expectations participants.
Team MOM
There’s no doubt that being a mom is tough job. It’s nice to have someone on your side that can relate to being a mom. Team Mom is a support group just for moms to help women manage the many pressures of parenting. A variety of topics are covered during Team MOM such as organizing your home & life, “you” time, family time, dos and don’ts of interviewing, healthy meals on a budget and stress management. New topics are added regularly, based on feedback from Team MOM participants.
Boot Camp for New Dads
The popular Boot Camp for New Dads pairs veteran dads with dads who are about to have a baby. These workshops are designed to help new dads learn skills in caring for their baby, answer questions and address any fears about becoming a father. Veteran dads get to share their fatherhood experiences and the new dads get real, hands-on practice.
Team DADD
Team DADD (Determined and Dedicated Dads) is a support group just for men. A variety of topics are covered during Team DADD, focused on helping men understand their unique roleS as fatherS. Each workshop gives ideas on how dads can connect with their kids and be more involved in their families. One particular session is centered on dads telling their story. Dad’s storytelling is designed to help men organize life events, successes, challenges, relationships, thoughts, decisions and feelings into stories for their children. Each dad’s story is taped and put on a DVD as a keepsake. Stories are told using plain talk, rapping, singing, drawing, or any combination. Dad’s storytelling helps fathers understand the power and meaning of their own life story.
This “On My Shoulders” curriculum also covers understanding the importance of commitment, expressing gratitude as a building block of happiness, carefully considering the role discipline takes in your household and many other topics. New topics are added on a regular basis, with guidance from Team DADD participants.