Recognize that men have a different parenting style than women. Both are important to their
children. Many men are searching for ways to build strong connections with their family.
Men need to see other men being fathers. Set aside a time especially for fathers and children.
Men tend to play physically with their kids. Set up your program room to allow for this.
Many fathers like to come for a planned activity: an outing, a craft, a music session.
Interactive and educational games in the toy library can help fathers learn how to play with
their children.
The parenting library should include books about being a father.
Since many men can feel intimidated in an all-female group, the role of staff in making them
comfortable and connecting them with other parents becomes especially important.
Employed parents in general may prefer a theme workshop approach to parenting education
rather than a multi-session course.
A fathers' advisory group could suggest topics of interest to men. Being a step-father, the
model of fathering men received, fathering at a distance, and access rights are possibilities to
add to the usual questions of discipline and communication.
Relate parenting to men's experiences in the workplace. How is being a parent like - or not
like - being a manager?
Find and promote role models of men in positions of influence who show that they take seriously
their involvement with their children.
Be open to initiatives coming from groups of men in the community.
This document was published by the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs.
Posted by:
the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs, August 1996.
