Nuts And Bolts Detail On Being A Family Man
Newcastle Herald
Monday October 16, 2006
NEW dads need to be prepared to stand up and be counted when it comes to caring for their newborn.
That is the view of Newcastle dad, pediatric nurse, midwife and educator Chris May, who teaches dads-to-be about birth and parenting in men-only classes run through the John Hunter Hospital.Mr May said men often get relegated to the role of powerless spectator during the birth, a situation that does not improve after the baby is brought home."Mums get taught to do things so they become the expert on care delivery," Mr May said.He said the mother, female friends and relatives often take over and men were given confusing messages."They are told they are supposed to be there and participate and then they are given the reality message, which is the fact that . . . they are not really getting access to their baby very much."So they run the risk of going away and saying, 'Well I am really not welcome here'.""But if you are going to be a good dad you can't go off and play golf twice in a weekend."Mr May, of New Lambton Heights, was inspired to help start the Nuts and Bolts antenatal program for dads after his experience with the birth of his children, Lachlan, 7, and Bridgette, 5, in Sydney."They did a very brief fatherhood session where a bloke came in and I thought that was nice, and found out they weren't doing anything up here specifically for men," he said.The Newcastle program gives men a practical guide to parenting, and the confidence to be active participants in their children's lives. Alice Kelly
© 2006 Newcastle Herald