“Being Dad”: call for fathers to take part in documentary
June 3, 2008 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
Dads with children aged 0-3 are wanted to take part in a new documentary series.
“Being Dad” is the “dadumentary” DVD that delivers real information to Dads to demystify the whole process – and is now being filmed for Dads in Ireland, Scotland and England.
Dads can be any age, and filming takes place over the next couple of months in five locations: Central London, Bath, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
The documentary makers explain:
“Filming takes about two hours and you’ll join five other dads in a relaxed environment talking about everything from conception to birth and bringing the baby home. We’ll provide you with free food and plenty of beers. This is a great opportunity to be a part of the first UK and Irish film that inspires and informs future dads to be. This will make a great heirloom, will get you in your partner’s good books, as well as making sure that future dads can legitimately avoid the pregnancy manuals!”
For more details email Victoria Newlands at victoria@nobull-communications.co.uk or phone 01628 526208.
Filming dates are:
Central London: Friday, June 20 / Tuesday, July 1 @ 6.30pm
Bath: Sunday, June 22 @ 4.30pm
Manchester: Tuesday, June 24 @ 6.30pm
Edinburgh: Wednesday, June 25 @ 6.30pm
Dublin: Friday, June 27 @ 6.30pm
Three-quarters of small businesses in UK offer flexible work options for parents
May 19, 2008 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
It’s not difficult to see how modern working practices put a strain on family relationships, but at least nearly three-quarters of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are attempting to make things easier for parents by offering more flexible working options.
Over half of working mums said they’d want to work away from the office, while nearly nine in ten dads said the same.
Dads said that flexible working would make the most positive difference to their family life in the first year after their child’s birth.
Dads lack of confidence in bringing up baby shows up as not taking responsibility
November 23, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
An interesting new survey from SMA Nutrition suggests that some fathers who come across as being unwilling to help with the upbringing of their babies and young children are actually unconfident about their abilities.
The study finds half of new dads admitting that they don’t always make the effort to get home from work in time for their baby’s bath and bed routine, while 43% say they rarely or never get up in the night to comfort their crying baby.
Other confessions to sidestepping parental duties include not always changing their baby’s nappy (68%) and a tendency to spend time playing with baby rather than on practical childcare tasks (45%). More than a third (36%) have taken their parents’ side on the best way to parent while 35% say they have felt relieved that work commitments have meant an overnight hotel stay as it ensures a good night’s sleep.
Daily Mail columnist tirades against environmentally unfriendly mothers
September 17, 2007 by Andy Merrett · 1 Comment
Though many of us expect nothing less than grossly stereotypical, sweeping generalisations from the writers at The Daily Mail tabloid paper, Liz Jones has pushed the boat out by having a real go a mothers, and children, for being environmentally and socially unfriendly.
Based upon a few negative images she has of parenting, every mother is now somehow in the wrong.
Granted, I am sure there are some disturbed or misguided people who see children as some kind of “status symbol”. They’re sick, but they’re not the majority (at least, I hope not).
She has a rather old-fashioned view of working mothers:
No one is allowed to complain when they are left to pick up the slack as every mum in the office hares out of the door at six on the dot, millions of plastic carrier bags in tow, hell-bent on creating a nappy mountain.
Heaven forbid that she ever meet a conscientious mother who successfully juggles the demands of both work and family life, as well as doing her bit for the environment.
Many men willing to get involved to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault
June 7, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
According to new research by Peter D Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, over half of men think it’s very or fairly likely that, at some point in their lives, they will know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, and most are willing to take action to raise awareness, help victims, and promote healthy, violence-free relationships.
“Across the board, men want more done to stop domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Verizon (who supported the research) Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam. “Men are ready to do their part by talking to the next generation, donating wireless phones to help victims and more. Verizon Wireless will continue its commitment to stop violence, and encourages men — and women — to take action.”
Children growing up in “terrifying” world. Parents need support.
April 26, 2007 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
It sounds obvious, but children need good parents.
Mary Crowley, of Parenting UK, says that children are growing up in a “terrifying” world of pressures and dangers, and that good parenting advice is essential in a society where, generally, the extended family is fractured or in decline.
Her organisation has just won a £30m National Academy for Parenting Practitioners contract.
The BBC reports:
“Nobody sets out to be a bad parent,” said Crowley, “But it’s quite hard to get real advice. You get advice about what sort of buggy to buy.”
Ms Crowley also raised concerns over increasing violence and dangers in society, the need for children to be ’street-wise’, and the marketing pressures put upon them.
She also made a call for more men to come forward to train as parenting practitioners. I couldn’t agree more - men need to be involved so that they can stand alongside other fathers to provide help and support.
Dads as nurturers as well as providers
November 17, 2006 by Andy Merrett · Leave a Comment
Pantagraph.com has an interesting article about the changing role of fathers, who are now often taking a much more active role in everything to do with their children:
Meet the new breed of father, the fully involved dad who doles out medicine as easily as dads in the ’60s handed down discipline. In 1965, 60 percent of all children lived in families with a breadwinner father and stay-at-home mom. Now only 30 percent do.
Male baby boomers broke the mold by picking up the diaper bag but Generation X dads, those between the ages of 26 and 40, are picking up the pace, signing school permission slips, running to piano lessons and stopping at the store on the way home. Web sites like www.dadlabs.com are trying to help, dishing out advice on everything from strollers to juice boxes.
