(Posted Feb. 25, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Dads, do you want to better connect with your children and help them reach their full potential? Then consider attending “Father Factor,” a free series of classes covering fatherhood resources and skills.
Sessions run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 1-April 26, at First United Methodist Church, 52 N. Main St., London. To register, call (614) 224-0222, ext. 103. Walk-in registrations also are accepted.
Jeff Kramer, project coordinator for Action For Children, will facilitate the classes. Funding for the program is provided by the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood.
“Our mission is to enable men to become better parents, partners and providers,” Kramer said. “It’s a supportive, confidential environment. We have a curriculum but the emphasis is on discussion.”
The group will talk about their male role models and father figures, how those experiences impact choices they make as parents, what it means to be a father, and setting goals for their children.
“With each session, we build on communication and listening skills,” Kramer said.
Topics include:
- Avoiding communication roadblocks—Listening to your child’s feelings and, instead of lecturing, allowing space for them to remain engaged in the conversation.
- Co-parenting skills—Remembering to put the child first.
- Respectful discipline—Teaching versus punishment.
- Democracy at home—Guiding children toward age appropriate choices and allowing them to take ownership in those choices.
- Self care—Attending to your own well-being in order to then effectively care for your children and partner.
“Programs like ‘Father Factor’ came about in response to startling statistics on father absence in Ohio,” Kramer said.
Two out of five children live in homes without fathers. In those situations, the children are five times more likely to live in poverty, three times more likely to fail in school, twice as likely to abuse drugs and become involved in crime, and three times more likely to commit suicide.
“In families where the father is involved, children have a better cognitive outcome, higher self-esteem and less depression as teens, higher grades, test scores and overall academic achievement, more economic stability, and more support from the extended family,” Kramer said.
“Many times that involvement may not be in a marriage or current relationship, but they are still a parent and their children still benefit from their positive involvement.”
“Father Factor” is open to any father with a child of minor age. In addition to discussions and skill-building, the program offers access to case management. For example, Kramer can connect participants with resources regarding visitation, employment and child support.
Go to www.positiveparents.com for more information.
