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Positive parenting the goal for My Dad's Group

Dad and daughter reading on the couchHub Staff

The Men's Program, a division of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce is offering a well-established positive parenting program for men in the two counties.

Registration is now open for My Dad's Group's September 2024 session, offering two group locations with meetings being held Monday evenings in Owen Sound and Tuesday evenings in Hanover.

"My Dad’s Group gives guys the chance to connect with other dads, learn more about their children’s needs and how they change over time, and work on the skills they need to be the safest and most supportive man they can be in the lives of their kids," read a recent media release from CMHA Grey Bruce.

The program runs for eleven weeks in the evening from 6 to 8:30pm, is free to attend and dinner is provided. Gas cards are also available.

Men's Program Supervisor Jon Farmer said that back to school is an important time. "Summers are often full and the transition back to school makes for new routines and stresses as kids and families navigate new milestones and learning," said Farmer. "That also makes it an important time for men to connect and support each other in learning and being the best version of themselves for their kids."

The program has been running since the 1990s and runs in partnership with Bruce Grey Child and Family Services.

“We’re always making small changes to update the program because the world around dads, kids and families keeps changing," Farmer said. "What doesn’t change is kids need for supportive, consistent, and loving dads regardless of whether their biological parents are still in a relationship."

Farmer adds that the group explores "real life challenges" and provides guys a chance to share solutions and support.

"We weren’t all given the male role models that we wanted as kids and My Dad’s Group is a chance to make sure that we can show up for our own children in the best way possible," Farmer said.

The Owen Sound group is set to get underway on September 16 and the Hanover group will begin on September 17.

For more information or to register visit greybruce.cmha.ca/programs/my-dads-group/ or call the Men's Program at 519-372-2720 or email them at mp@cmhagb.org.
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