The concept of fatherhood has changed considerably in the 21st century, with many dads actively looking to be more involved in their kids’ lives, supporting their emotional needs and handling more day-to-day obligations than was typically expected of fathers from previous generations. With rising youth mental health concerns, it’s also more important than ever for fathers to be present and make sure their children know they are loved and supported.
Meeting all of your kids’ needs, while balancing work and family responsibilities and taking care of your own mental health, can be overwhelming. Parenting, whether raising newborns or teenagers or both, is a full-time job in itself. Historically, stereotypes and harmful stigmas have prevented many men (and women) from seeking help and support when they need it.
There are many books, including Daddy Blues: Postnatal Depression and Fatherhood and The Life of Dad, that can help fathers navigate the complex challenges of modern parenthood. Fathers can also seek guidance and community from online and in-person support groups. Here are some of the benefits these support groups offer and some to consider.
Provide Guidance and Knowledge
Fatherhood support groups can be great resources to dads dealing with various circumstances, including divorce, loss of job, death of their partner, or lack of family support. They provide a sense of community, but more than that, they serve as a hub of knowledge and shared experiences, making them particularly helpful for first-time dads. If you’re struggling or overwhelmed with balancing your parental responsibilities with other obligations or having trouble addressing behavioral challenges with your child, chances are there is someone at a fatherhood support group who can lend an ear and provide judgement-free advice.
Experienced dads in these support groups can also pass along valuable tips and tricks they’ve learned over the years for raising healthy, responsible, and well-adjusted kids. Moreover, they can point you toward valuable parenting resources in your community.
Friendship and Emotional Support
As fulfilling as it can be to raise children, new fathers especially might notice a decline in their social life as parenting duties pile up. It’s common for new dads to yearn for free time away from work and parenting responsibilities. Fatherhood support groups not only provide a break from the rigors of the working parent lifestyle, but they also connect people navigating similar challenging experiences.
In a global review of studies on the mental health of fathers, The Conversation found that new dads in particular “felt they needed more opportunities to talk about these struggles within peer-support groups if accessible – as well as with family, friends and within work settings.” By sharing their thoughts and feelings with fathers who may have faced similar circumstances, dads can receive the validation and/or guidance they need.
Better Development for Children
Participation in fatherhood support groups isn’t just beneficial for dads – it can also dramatically benefit your child’s emotional and social development. This is particularly true for children whose fathers live outside of their home. Kids with dads who live elsewhere, which account for nearly 25% of all children in the United States, are more likely to exhibit behavior issues, have poor grades in school, and get tangled in the juvenile justice system.
Dads in fatherhood groups glean valuable parenting skills and information to support the healthy development of their children. Simply joining one of these groups signals a dad is more interested in being involved in their kids’ lives, and children with more engaged fathers generally have fewer mental health problems and greater cognitive skills. When both parents are still together, there is also evidence that suggests they are physically healthier and happier with their relationship when fathers are more involved in their kids’ lives.
PSI Dad Support Group
Postpartum Support International (PSI) operates a weekly online Dad Support Group every week for fathers with young children. These virtual sessions are free to attend and usually last about 90 minutes. The first half hour focuses on education and parenting resources, while attendees get a chance to share their concerns and experiences during the next hour.
Parents Helping Parents Virtual Support Group
Parents Helping Parents is another online resource through which dads can share and receive guidance on how to raise healthy children and navigate the complexities of fatherhood. It offers free and confidential group support sessions via Zoom every week. Trained volunteers facilitate these meetings and lead discussions of topics such as co-parenting, the difference between raising sons and daughters, and how to manage parental stress.
Boot Camp for New Dads
For new fathers who prefer face-to-face interaction, Boot Camp for New Dads is a nonprofit that provides training and emotional support via community-based workshops. Since its inception in 1990, it has graduated more than 500,000 soon-to-be-fathers. The unique program, now offered in 45 states, is tailored for men whose first child will be born within the next 1-2 months. These “rookie” dads receive valuable support and guidance from “veteran” dads, graduates of the program who participate with their infants.
