FI Guide Getting Dads onto Parenting Courses formatted VOS V2

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Getting dads onto parenting courses
All the courses in the CAN Parent pilot can be attended by both mothers,
fathers, and other men and women in a parenting role (and recruitment of each
will be evaluated). But for all sorts of reasons (including that men are more
likely than women to be out at work all day), you are probably in contact with
far more mums than dads. This doesn’t mean fathers and father figures aren’t
interested in their parenting role, or that they don’t matter. In fact they matter
hugely to children, and parenting courses work much better if both mum and
dad are both involved. Given the chance, dads really do want advice and
support so they can offer their children a great start in life.

So here are some tips to get dads to sign up for CAN Parent courses:

   Mothers, fathers and other carers are eligible for vouchers, and more than one adult
    per child can have one. They don’t have to live with the child to be eligible. Every
    time you hand a voucher to a parent, ask if they’d like one for the other parent (or
    parents) too. Whenever you mention the pilots, explain why it could be helpful for
    more than one to attend a course. Mention to mums especially that getting their
    child’s dad to come along is a great way to help him support her parenting.
   Always mention the pilot to dads if you see them. If a dad phones up, emails or
    texts, always ask him if he knows about the vouchers and tell him all about them.
    Point out that children do best when BOTH parents take up a parenting course offer.

   You may see fathers fleetingly, for example dropping children off or picking them up
    – or in different contexts (the plumber who comes to fix something in your building
    might be a dad!). Find ways to get vouchers and parenting course information into
    their hands. Make it easy for dads – keep the information near the entrance, with a
    sign making clear that mums and dads should both take part.

   Use Father’s Day and other ‘family days’ as an opportunity to encourage dads to
    come in, and promote the courses to them.

   Ask local mums and dads to help. Encourage parents using your setting to spread
    the word to other mothers AND fathers about the offer. And ask them for their
    advice on reaching local dads.
   Don’t forget dads who don’t live with their children all the time. These dads are
    really important for their children and a good course could help them stay positively
    involved (and also help the mum and dad think about ways to ensure they present a
    ‘united front’ on key issues with the children). The dad and the mum can come to
    different courses and still benefit hugely from the experience.

   When a new family registers with your service, make it a routine part of the process
    that you meet both mum and dad - and when you meet them, talk to them both
    about the parenting course pilot.

   If you decide to send out vouchers to parents you are in contact with, it’s a good
    idea to put in two vouchers. This makes it clear that the courses are for both
    parents, and makes it easier for both to attend.



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   Put the offer on your email footer – explaining clearly that mums and dads are
    eligible for vouchers and why it’s best if both go to a course.

   Above all, CONFIDENTLY emphasise that it should be routine and normal for BOTH
    parents to come along to parenting courses. And always explain why this matters –
    as parents won’t necessarily realise this. A parent attending alone should be the
    exception not the rule.

There is good evidence that these techniques work. But obviously every setting is
different. So monitor how effective your agency is at getting both parents to take away
vouchers, and getting mums to take away vouchers for dads – then discuss at team
meetings to create the most robust strategy.


Why does dads’ attendance matter?
   Fathers can often be less confident and skilled than mothers at looking after babies
    and toddlers. This doesn’t mean they’re less good at it – just that in most cases,
    they have less experience. Helping them develop their skills can enable them to take
    responsibility as independently capable, hands-on parents.

   Fathers who attend parenting courses tend to do more with their children afterwards
    – and to do it better – and their babies and toddlers also develop faster and better,
    including developing higher IQs.

   The ways in which fathers and mothers work together as a ‘parenting team’ strongly
    influence how well their children will do: when BOTH parents attend a course (even
    if at separate sessions) the ‘parenting team’ tends to become more stable, as does
    the couple’s relationship.

   If only one parent attends a session, the other may not understand changes the
    ‘attending parent’ tries to introduce at home, and may undermine them.

   When BOTH parents attend child behaviour tends to improve more quickly and
    positive changes are maintained.
   Two heads are better than one: when BOTH parents attend a session, they’re likely
    to understand new strategies better.

   BOTH attending helps a parent who is normally a ‘back up parent’ to become more
    central to their children’s lives.

   BOTH attending helps a parent who is normally a main carer to get real support from
    their child’s other parent.


Find out more

Visit www.fatherhoodinstitute.org for more ideas and publications to help you reach out to,
and engage with, fathers and father-figures.




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