Nobody gives you training to be a father and kids certainly don’t come with a user’s guide or an owner’s manual. Meet other fathers at U of T to discuss parenting issues, find support, share experiences and ideas.
What Do I Do When My Child Misbehaves? (Dads only)
At one time or another, every father has asked the question: “Why are my kids doing this?” Learn how to recognize the Four Goals of Misbehaviour, and acquire effective, positive strategies for dealing with them. Find out how to replace ineffective punishment and rewards with encouragement and logical consequences.
Facilitator: Richard Skinulis, an award-winning professional writer for the past 25 years and the author of six books, including three on parenting/classroom management issues.
Dads Talking: Parenting, Relationships and Everything In Between
Being a father is a challenging role and often it’s made even more difficult by the lack of support systems in place; most Dads weren’t trained to be Daddies! Still, through processes of trial and error, lessons are learned and triumphs gained.
This workshop will be a loosely structured discussion time for Dads to come, share and learn with and from other Dads. This is a great chance to connect with other Dads on campus who might also be learning to balance the work/academic/family load and a chance to hear what other Dads have learned and to share your own challenges, triumphs and joys. Come out, relax, talk and meet other Dads on campus. Bring lunch and any topics you want to share!
Facilitator: Eric Ritskes is a graduate student in Education, writer on spirituality in education, a father of one rambunctious 2-year old girl, blogger and story teller. He lives in Toronto and enjoys the simple pleasures in life such as good espresso and the daily crossword puzzle.
Positive father involvement: Co-Constructing parenting relationships with partners
This presentation and discussion will focus on the way in which a father’s parenting identity and role develop within the context of the parenting relationship with the spouse or partner. Research examining these processes will be shared and the notion of positive father involvement will be explored within this context. The diversity within co-parenting models will be examined and participants will have an opportunity to consider their own parenting configuration.
Facilitator: Ted McNeill PhD., RSW. Director of Social Work and Child Life, The Hospital for Sick Children, Associate Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto; Father Involvement Research Alliance
The New Dad
In this workshop for new and ‘expectant’ dads, we will discuss:
- Relationship changes
- Meeting mom’s needs
- Connecting with your baby from the start
- Life changes new dads go through
Facilitator: Brian Russell is currently a Parent Education Worker with the LAMP Ontario Early Years Services in Toronto. His main focus is on working with fathers, encouraging them to be responsibly involved with their children. Brian also supports other organizations and agencies working with fathers through coordinating Strategies for Working with Fathers conferences and providing training in Father Involvement best practices directly to staff and organizations. Brian is the Provincial Coordinator for the Father Involvement Initiative “ Ontario Network (FII-ON). Having a background in Marriage and Family Therapy, Brian brings an important perspective to the couple relationship in families, where trust and respect are key elements to building strong families.
Fathering Sons, Fathering Daughters
Is a dad’s relationship meant to be different for his sons and for his daughters? Do girls and boys need different things from their dads? This is a very important thing to think about. Join us as we talk about the role dads have in their sons’ and daughters’ lives.
Facilitator: Brian Russell is the Provincial Coordinator at the Father Involvement Initiative – Ontario Network and a Parent Educator at LAMP Community Health Centre.
The Key to Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids
Kids need to understand and regulate their emotional world so they can enjoy increased health and well being, increased self confidence, better scholastic performance, healthier social relationships and more meaningful personal relationships. Come and join our discussion concerning the role dads can play in the development of their own and their children’s emotional development. This workshop will focus on key “take home” strategies that will enhance this important life skill in you and your kids.
Facilitator: Patrick Mahoney RN BScN, has a background in Relationship Counselling, as well as, nine years experience as a postnatal educator for Toronto Public Health and a Prenatal educator for Peel Public Health. Patrick’s expertise and main focus is facilitating evidence based parenting programs for parents with children from birth to six years. Recently, Patrick has been certified as a “Gottman Educator” for the program “Bringing Baby Home” an evidenced based project that improves the quality of life for babies and children while strengthening the family and assisting with individuals and couples transition to parenthood. Patrick has his own consulting firm for parents called “The Language of Parenting”.
Configuring Your “RPS”
Having kids can bring chaos. Parenting can often put strain on a couple’s relationship and it is important for men to figure this out. By configuring their “Relationship Positioning System”, dads can be a catalyst for harmony. What is it that our partners need from us? How can we keep the intimacy alive in the midst of family? Join us as we talk about key elements of strong relationships.
Facilitator: Brian Russell is the Provincial Coordinator at the Father Involvement Initiative – Ontario Network and a Parent Educator at LAMP Community Health Centre.