Dad to Dad Mentoring

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shearer on November 20, 2009 at 12:08pm

That is a VERY cool idea. Very young fathers would be a good group to mentor as well.

In what way are you talking? Face-to-face interaction? A telephone or e-mail discussion?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Enochs on November 20, 2009 at 12:09pm

Similar to mentoring like Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Sit down, face-to-face, anything that both parties feel comfortable with.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shearer on November 20, 2009 at 12:11pm

I might be interested. I think it's a tremendous idea, and something that is sorely lacking. I'd be interested to see a program instituted and how fathers would be recruited for something like this.

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Permalink Reply by stuart showalter on November 20, 2009 at 1:05pm

Eric there is certainly a need. I do not have significant amounts of time available for one on one unless it may be here in Lebanon. I will do what I can to help though.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on January 16, 2010 at 12:21pm

I see a need for a program like this. Personally, I'd like to see a phone support program where a father experiencing a tough situation can call and get some ideas on how to handle things from someone not emotionally involved. I could have used something like that earlier today.
Do any support programs like this already exist?

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Permalink Reply by Joe on January 25, 2010 at 1:08pm

I don't see lots of people flocking to be mentees. More to be mentors. Maybe a good start would be an advice area on the website where there could be categories based on subject and fathers could write specific articles. Then have contact info available for the authors. Things like:

Category: Disciplining Children

Article: Remembering Kids Take Things Differently Than Adults

Things like that are often forgotten in the heat of anger for new fathers. It can be very easy for fathers to expect adult understanding out of children and then expect them to consider your words from an adult perspective.

Category: Pregnancy and Post Partem

Article: How to Handle Post Partem Depression as a Father

This is a big problem that people just don't seem to talk about much. It usually turns out that guys just say their wives/girlfriends turned into [insert explicative] and argue with them to no end. They tend to not realize how this affects the kids and how the lack of understanding can hurt or even ruin their relationship. My brother is dealing with it now after his first child was born last month. I really feel for him and her both.

Category: Kids in School

Article: Grades - How to Help Improve Them

Article: How to Help Your Child Deal With Bullies

Article: Your Child Isn't An Angel - He/She Might Be a Bully - Signs

Category: Sex

Article: How to Tell When it is Time to Have "The Talk"

Article: Signs That Your Child is Having Sex

Can you tell I have a couple teenagers? Anyway, just a suggestion.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Enochs on January 25, 2010 at 1:10pm

The bulk of the program would be aimed at high risk dads and dads coming out of prison but still available for other dads to take advantage of. Even something simple as a contact you make with another dad to meet every now and then for lunch and maybe some golf. Talk about kids and also build a friendship.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Farling on February 2, 2010 at 7:50pm

HI:
I may be a little older than your typical Dad, but I have quite a wide range of experience, and would be willing to help.

Eric Enochs said:

The bulk of the program would be aimed at high risk dads and dads coming out of prison but still available for other dads to take advantage of. Even something simple as a contact you make with another dad to meet every now and then for lunch and maybe some golf. Talk about kids and also build a friendship.

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Permalink Reply by Neil Sly on February 22, 2010 at 11:41am

I think this is an awesome idea - I would of loved someone to talk to when our son was born. I had my father and father-in-law but with both I always had a certain need to convey I had everything figured out and so it was hard to ask for advice or help on certain issues.

I also agree with Joe that I'm not sure many fathers would seek out the help - but I hope that they would. I very much like the idea of a mentoring program but would also welcome partnering up with a dad who has a child my age so we could share our experiences as we go along.

I also like Jeremy's idea of an on call or hot line based system.

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