Why Should a Group Join?

Parent and toddler work is a dynamic opportunity for churches to build relationships, strengthen families and invigorate communities. Parent and toddler sessions enable us to engage and befriend families outside the church, and to support them as they grow, progress and face life's challenges. However, the parent and toddler world has traditionally been populated by mostly mothers and female carers; relatively few fathers have taken part. Who Let The Dads Out? seeks to change that culture by taking the usual parent and toddler format and specifically targeting it at fathers, male carers and their children. It seeks to keep the hearts of fathers and their children turned to one another.

If your church joined Who Let The Dads Out? it would become part of a network of almost 20 centres. It is free to join, but once a member, your church will be able to use the Who Let The Dads Out? national initiative name and logo, materials, publicity, log on to the forum for ideas and download the "Daddy Cool!" parenting programme. In addition, your church will be shown on our national map and details of when and where your centre meets will be shown by clicking.

Comments and Feedback

Here are some of the comments that Who Let The Dads Out? has received:

"It's great to have something just for dads." Martin (Dad to Alex)
"I get to spend a couple of hours with my children on a one to one basis. It also gives my wife a couple of hours off." David (Dad to Patrick and Isaac)
"In a small way I feel it has deepened the bond between us." Jonathan (Dad to Oliver)
"I enjoy the singing the most. I have been the lone reedy tenor at a mainstream playgroup, but to hear the sweet melodies of the Who Let The Dads Out? male voice choir is a thing of great beauty!" John (Dad to Rowan)
"I enjoy playing with Mollie and Phoebe, meeting other dads and the bacon butties!" Alan (Dad to Mollie and Phoebe)
"I go to spend some time alone with Elise. It has strengthened my bond with her." Michael (Dad to Elise and Leon)
"I wish ours was every Saturday!" Dave (Dad to Jacob and Daniel)
"It's an excellent service to the community. It gives dads a chance to spend quality time with their children and socialise with other dads." Martin (Dad to Alex)

Running a Session

As you think about setting up a Who Let The Dads Out? session the question foremost in your mind is probably not 'who let the dads out?' but 'how do we get the dads in (and keep them there!)?' What follows is a suggested format. It is not the only way of running a Who Let The Dads Out? session but it may give you some useful ideas.

1. Signpost the way. It can be very unsettling to arrive at a building for the first time and have to search for the way in - especially when you are nervous about what you will find on the other side of the door. So prop the door open and place a sign outside to welcome the dads.
2. Greet him with a handshake. First impressions can make or break how we feel about an event. The questions swimming around the dads' minds are likely to be: 'Am I in the right place?' 'What do I do?' 'Where do I go?' Have someone on the door - ideally a man - who will be good at greeting people. A man at the door confirms to the dads that they are in the right place and that it is truly a men's event after all. Introduce yourself, shake hands and explain where everything is. Wear a name badge so the dads know who to ask if they have any questions.
3. Introduce him to others. The dads may begin to feel anxious again when they get inside, especially about who to talk to. Have someone inside the building who will begin conversations and introduce the dads to one other.
4. Fill his stomach. Food does relax people and prompt them to talk. The bacon butty is a must but offer an alternative for those who cannot eat bacon; perhaps some toast and marmalade. Offer tea and coffee, and juice and biscuits (or a healthier alternative) for the children. Ideally, recruit two volunteers to do the catering.
5. Feed his mind. There are bound to be times when the children are playing happily and the dads are not chatting to anyone. Something to read can help a dad to feel less awkward about a solitary moment. Put out a range of morning newspapers and some sports/hobbies magazines.

6. Help him express his creativity. Prepare a suitable craft activity and ask a couple of teenagers from the church youth group to help. The dads may find guidance from a teenager less threatening than if offered by a fellow adult. Despite the undoubted excellence of the craft masterpiece they have in their hands, the most valuable gift you will be sending the dads and children home with is some very special memories.
7. Say goodbye. Have the same person who welcomed the dads on the door again to thank them for coming and to say goodbye.