OxonDads

Got time to take a quick survey ??

2012-02-23T04:17:00.000-08:00

New & expectant dads: share your views!

The Department of Health is keen to find out what new and expectant dads think about a new (free) email service it's developing.

Once launched, the service will bring dads a range of great parenting information and ideas (more information about this can be found in the survey). The survey will take around 10-12 minutes and you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Amazon voucher.

The results of the survey will be used to help improve the product; answers will remain anonymous. Thanks in advance - your feedback is very valuable.

Please click here to start the survey.

ALSO... do you know any dads whose partners suffered from post-natal depression?

As part of the same service, the Department of Health and Royal College of Midwives are producing some films for the NHS Choices website.

The TV production team who are making the films are looking for partners of women who’ve suffered from post-natal depression, to talk about their experiences.

Ideally dads will be based in or around Bristol, and would be available for filming on Friday 17 February. Possible participants should email Claudia Guerretta or call her on 020 7833 3000 ext. 2076.

The Fatherhood Institute, Unit 5 Warren Courtyard, Savernake, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3UU

Phone 0845 6341328
Registered charity number 1075104 Company number 3709549

Turn those Terrible Twos into Terrific Twos!

2012-02-23T04:02:00.000-08:00


For more information about Kid Premiership www.kidpremiership.com

				FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT DAVID HARBAN ON: 01484 668008
	www.kidpremiershop.com			or email: davidharban@kidpremiership.com


	Turn those Terrible Twos into Terrific Twos!
	It’s hard work being a parent, but with the right support every parent can experience the joys of parenthood! The key to success is getting the basics right. But the basics don’t just come naturally! Parents need help in a format that is simple and easy to understand. They don’t want to be overloaded with too much information! That’s why Terrific Twos, containing only essential advice on safety, healthy eating, oral hygiene, keeping active and early learning is a great book to support all parents of two year olds. For a FREE e-sample call 01484 668008. Special half price offer available until 6th March click here, for more details.


	More books in the series to help parenting those Terrific Twos:				LATEST NEWS Trust or Lies? – A great new eye-catching family information leaflet from Kid Premiership. Packs of 100 leaflets are available FREE of charge to anyone placing an order in excess of £200. click here, for more details.
	MORE INFO	MORE INFO	MORE INFO



How to Contact Kid Premiership The Dyehouse, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7PD \| T: 01484 668008 \| F: 01484 668009 \| E: davidharban@kidpremiership.com www.kidpremiership.com or buy online at www.kidpremiershop.com

Created by One17 GC \| www.one17gc.com \| Buy online at: www.kidpremiershop.com \| To stop receiving these emails please unsubscribe.

Posters available from Fathers Plus

2012-02-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Click below to order

http://www.fathersplus.org/catalog/posters

Lollibop Childrens Festival August 2012

2012-02-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

Please click on link below for the dates for this year's Lollibop Festival in August

http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/1112318/Lollibop-festival-announces-2012-dates/

Dads Outdoors Project

2012-02-16T04:29:00.000-08:00

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise!

A jogger, on his weekly run through the woods at the CS Lewis Nature Reserve, was stopped in his tracks on a mild December morning. Had he stumbled across a Teddy Bear’s Picnic? Spotted the notorious Gruffalo? Or worse still, the Big Bad Mouse? In actual fact, the jogger had come across a band of little explorers and their fathers from the Roundabout Children’s Centre, Headington. 13 fathers and 23 children had ventured down to the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in Risinghurst to take part in the Centre’s first Dads Outdoors session.

Dads Outdoors is a project involving 9 Children’s Centre’s across Oxfordshire. The project aims to enable fathers and their children to make better use of their local environment on a regular basis and to build local networks of support and collaboration. The Roundabout Centre’s first Dads Outdoors event made the usually tranquil forest come alive with activity as the children and fathers explored their surroundings, looking for creatures, and made Christmas decorations. It was a big surprise to the jogger who runs that route every weekend and rarely encounters another person.

Despite living within minutes of the Nature Reserve, many of the group had never been their before. However, after spending the morning in the woods, all the dads vowed to come back again with the whole family. One father commented ‘I experienced a different aspect of play with my child…the forest side. The centre had planned to use the pond at the Nature Reserve to go pond dipping, but had to make some last minute rearrangements after discovering that pond dipping in winter can damage the pond life’s habitat. Instead, with a little bit of wire, the dads got creative and made Christmas stars, wreaths and even a forest crown in the woodland next to the pond. The children used magnifying glasses and small pots to search and collect minibeasts that ranged from earthworms to millipedes.

Over the coming months, the Roundabout centre will be organising monthly outdoor events. They will be coming back to the CS Lewis in the warmer months to carry out their pond dipping event as well as exploring other local locations with a different focus for each event. Oxfordshire has some fantastic outdoor spaces and through the Dads Outdoors project, local families will be finding out about places to go and things to do in their area. To find out more, please contact the Roundabout Centre (01865 764952).

Some comments from the dads:-

· I will take my children (to the CS Lewis Nature Reserve) more regularly

· We enjoyed collecting worms and making a star out of twigs

· I shall visit the pond with my wife and family

· We loved the fresh air and adventure: feeding ducks, finding bugs and playing in an adventurous environment

· I shall go out next weekend with the children, just like today

· Fresh air, good mix of dads, friendly, fun in the woods…it was great!

The other centres involved in the Dads Outdoors project are The East Street Centre and Britannia Road Children’s Centre (Banbury), Witney Children’s Centre, Elms Road Children’s Centre, Marston Northway Children’s Centre (Oxford), North Abingdon Children’s Centre, South Abingdon Children’s Centre and Wantage Children’s Centre. To find out about their programme of activities, please contact the appropriate children’s centre.

"My Daddy and Me" - New book available

2012-01-31T07:42:00.000-08:00

For more information about Kid Premiership www.kidpremiership.com

		FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT DAVID HARBAN ON: 01484 668008
	www.kidpremiershop.com	or email: davidharban@kidpremiership.com


	Research shows that children whose fathers are actively involved in their lives are happier, more confident individuals who achieve more.
	It is for this reason, that Kid Premiership work actively with dads to support their role and encourage them to develop a positive relationship with their children from day one. ‘My Daddy and Me’ is a delightful first early years book for dads to enjoy with their children. It highlights the importance of everyday activities that will enrich not only their children’s lives, but dad’s life too. From changing nappies to reading stories and splashing in puddles, sharing this book will help to reinforce that special father/ child bond. Special half price offer available for two weeks only click here for more details or email davidharban@kidpremiership.com to request your FREE e-sample.

DaddyNatal - advice and tips on becoming a Dad !!

2012-01-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

For a great website with advice for ante natal Dads check out -

www.daddynatal.co.uk

Practical, memorable and enjoyable antenatal education for men, by men.

DaddyNatal was created by Dean Beaumont in response to his experiences becoming a father for the first time. He says:

"I felt I was prepared for the birth of my son, had read the books and been to the childbirth classes, but after the birth of my son, I realised I had not been prepared, and felt I had let my partner down. What I realised is that childbirth education is tailored to women, and actually, that there was very little information for men, tailored for men, as they prepare for their role in birth and beyond. The birth partner has a massive influence on labour, and can affect how long it lasts, how painful it is, and whether interventions are needed or used."

DaddyNatal was created to support Dads to be the best birth partners they can be, and to be the best dads that they can be. We recognise becoming a dad starts before birth, and continues for life, and so we offer both DaddyNatal antenatal classes (for men only) and New Dads classes (for Dads & Baby only) for when baby has arrived.

We also host Study Days for any professionals working with fathers and DaddyNatal teacher training, please see the tabs above for more information.

DaddyNatal – proud to be working in partnership with Peterborough Hospital to improve services for fathers. Please see our Partnership page for details of how we can also support you.

Dads Literature Book Available

2012-01-31T05:50:00.000-08:00

32 page A5 illustrated information book
Suitable for all dads and dads-to-be
ISBN: 978-1-906036-47-8

'Dads Make a Difference' explains to fathers why their role is so important for the successful development and positive well-being of their children. It provides the help and support needed for dads to develop relationships that will enrich not only the lives of their children, but also their own lives too.

Chapters include:
Bonding
Breast is Best
Male Postnatal Depression
Child Safety
Healthy Eating
Your relationships with your children
Relationships between Parents
Separation
Step Families
Family Problems and Domestic Abuse
Money Issues
Unemployment / Work Problems
Stress
Support & Contacts.

A free e sample of the complete book is available by contacting David Harban.
Tel: 01484 668008 Email: davidharban@kidpremiership.com

New "Man Enough" Course starting in February - Please contact numbers below for further details

2012-01-09T04:36:00.000-08:00

Wishing Everyone a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year !!

2011-12-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

Dads Zone @ The Leys Childrens Centre, Blackbird Leys, Oxford

2011-12-06T06:59:00.000-08:00

Saturdads Group @ Grandpont Children's Centre, Oxford

2011-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Dads Go Wild at Playday Festival

2011-12-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

A few sporadic showers was not enough to stop hundreds of families attending the Oxford City, South and Vale Playday event at Hill End on 17th September 2011. The event was part of National Playday, which celebrates children and young people’s right to PLAY. Now in its 25th year, Play Day is the biggest play sector event in the UK, possibly Europe! The official date of National Playday was August 3rd 2011. On or around the first Wednesday of August, thousands of play events took place across the UK. In Oxfordshire Playday events spread from the end of July till September. To find out more about Playday visit www.playday.org.uk

Dads Go Wild took part in the Oxford City, South and Vale Playday event on 17th September, a free event set up by the Oxfordshire Play Association. Organised by the Oxfordshire Parenting Forum, Dads Go Wild is now in its 4th year. Dads Go Wild was developed to enable dads to spend some quality time with their children while learning more about father-friendly support groups across the county. This year Dads Go Wild, along with many other organisations, took part in the larger Playday event. Several Children’s Centres organised transport for their families and ‘Saturdads’ groups encouraged their fathers to attend. Early estimates suggest that there were over 1000 participants enjoying activities ranging from junk modelling to cooking on a campfire. Dads Go Wild provided a variety of activities including face painting and glitter tattoos, water play and wind socks. Oxfordshire Parenting Forum also organised for Paul Eagles (Living Instruments) to lead some drumming circles for the event. These were very popular and the loud mesmeric beats drew everyone together in the centre of the field.

The Dads Go Wild area was a constant throng of activity with the water play feature keeping children and their families amused for hours. Around 20 metres of guttering, donated to us from the East Street Centre (Banbury) and Leys Children Centre (Oxford), was set up in two opposing lines with a tray of water either end. The children loved pouring water down the guttering and watching ducks, cars and small balls race down. It was fun for all ages and an activity that dads in particular seemed drawn to.

As always, face painting was an incredibly popular activity with Debbie and her team faced with a never ending queue of eagerly waiting children. The painted faces looked awesome and the glitter tattoos were very striking. Whilst the children and their families waited for their turn, the Oxfordshire Parenting Forum workers were able to talk to fathers about father-friendly groups across the county.

Inside the tent at the back of the Dads Go Wild area, children were creatively designing and constructing their own windsocks. With a simple template, children were able to decorate their windsocks, using pens and paint, and then stick them together so that they looked like flying fish. After a slow start, the activity soon became inundated with budding artists when a few scattered showers sent people running into the tent for cover. Apart from the showers, conditions were perfect for the windsocks with the after-effects of Hurricane Irene crossing the Atlantic to blow the children’s socks through the air. Children ran out of the tent eager to fly their fish and more and more children came to make their windsock after seeing the fun other children were having.

Dads Go Wild and the Playday event was a huge success. Hundreds of fathers and their families were in attendance with outdoor activities once again proving to be very popular with fathers. We look forward to organising more outdoor regional events as part of the Dads Outdoors project and eagerly wait next year’s county event.

Dads & Baby Group @ Granpont Childrens Centre

2011-10-24T02:53:00.000-07:00

Group for Dads at Grandpont Childrens Centre

2011-10-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

The Man Enough Program - If you are interested in attending or would like details on how you can join the course in the future please see the contact details below

2011-10-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

Man Enough

Calling all Dads!!

Dads, step Dads, resident Dads, absent Dads, adopted Dads, estranged Dads,
single Dads, foster Dads, Granddads, challenged Dads, ….

Dad, if you want to...

Ö Improve your time with your children

Ö Understand where they’re coming from

Ö Feel a more confident parent

Ö Improve communication between you and your children

Ö Help children develop into responsible & cooperative adults

Ö Learn new skills that will improve all your relationships

Then come and join other Dads for an opportunity to…

· Share ideas

· Discuss problems

· Gain real insight into: Fatherhood, Relationships, Parenting

Dads only. Guaranteed to improve your relationship with your kids.

Comments from Dads who have completed the course…

Ø “This is something that all Dads should do” Cliff

Ø “I got what I needed and so did my family” Jim

Ø “Dads rarely reflect on being a father. Sharing with other Dads helps” Geof

Ø “I have learnt to think, react, love and feel” Andy

7 week course Tuesdays 7pm – 9pm. Starts Tuesday 27^th September 2011

at Elms Road Children’s Centre, Elms Road, Botley, OX2 9JZ

For more information and to book a free place

· Call Albert on 01865 863539 (evening)

· or email suedowe.1016@elms-road-nurs.oxon.sch.uk

· or phone the Children’s Centre on 01865 243955
and ask for Sue or Shabana

Dads Info

2011-10-04T01:25:00.000-07:00

New book helps dads understand their importance

Specialist publisher Kid Premiership has produced a book which explains to fathers why their role is so important for the successful development and positive well-being of their children. Dads Make A Difference provides the help and support needed for dads to develop relationships that will enrich not only the lives of their children, but also their own lives too.

Chapters include:

Bonding
Breast is Best
Male Postnatal Depression
Child Safety
Healthy Eating
Your relationships with your children
Relationships between Parents
Separation
Step Families
Family Problems and Domestic Abuse
Money Issues
Unemployment / Work Problems
Stress
Support & Contacts.

A free sample of the complete book is available by contacting David Harban (tel: 01484 668008). As an introductory offer the books are available for only £2 each.

Dads Go Wild !

2011-09-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

***News***News***News***News***News***News***News***

Come and join in the fun and games with DADS GO WILD ! at the Playday Festival on SATURDAY 17th SEPTEMBER, 10am - 3pm, HILL END CENTRE, FARMOOR - see below for further details or click on this link http://flic.kr/p/amUzUj for a larger version of the poster.

There will be Kite Making, Water Play, Face Painting and much, much more fun, games and activities to do on the day - Hope to see you there !!

Welcome !!

2011-09-13T04:17:00.000-07:00

Hello there and a warm welcome to the new OxonDads Blog !

Thankyou for visiting our updated website - we would appreciate any feedback or comments you have on our site - please mail to info@oxondads.co.uk .