Who let the Dads out?
I know, you are going to have the song stuck in your head
all day now! However, who let the Dads out is our call to Dads, Uncles and all
Father figures to take your children out for a Saturday morning to play. Not
only can this give the ladies of the house a bit of time for themselves (which
will earn the men some major brownie points) it is also important for both the
Dad and the child.
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| We couldn't put it better ourselves. Thank you 'www.thatswhatchesaid.net' |
At our Rugbees classes on a Saturday morning, though many
families come as a whole, it is commonly the Dads who join in with the session
with their children, supporting them in some of the activities and getting
stuck into many of the games. However, in the between times they have the
chance to chat to other Dads and afterwards, they can sit back in the play area
at the Bull & Bush, watching their children play while they have a coffee
and a bacon roll. There is a fantastic family vibe, sharing of thoughts and
making of friends and we want to continue this at the Honeycomb Hub.
There is so much research to show the benefit of having a
strong male role model. While in many cases this will be their Father, in many
others it may be an Uncle or family friend. However the benefits of a male role
model aren’t just through physically having one present, it is through
interaction with them where children can be shown different skills and values.
Generally speaking, mothers tend to be nurturing, soft,
protective and emotional while Fathers tend to encourage risk taking and to be
challenging, playful and physical. I like to pride myself that I encourage risk
taking and challenge the boys just as much as my husband, yet it only took the
boys swimming for me to realise that even my husband and I fall into these
categories. My big one was underwater
and seemed to be very still at the bottom for a little too long (in my opinion)
so I was about to rush over all set for a dramatic Baywatch style rescue when
my husband put his hand on my arm telling me he would be fine – which he was.
He was just being a rock apparently! Was my husband taking a greater risk or
did he simply have a greater belief in my son’s abilities.
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| I love this image though I apologise that I do not know the origin of it so I cannot give credit. Please let me know if you know! |
At the Honeycomb Hub we provide a safe space for everyone to
come and play and where, on a Saturday morning, we especially encourage father
figures (who may be working during the week) and their children to come and
enjoy the space together. Through this we hope to strengthen families as father figures engage further by spending
more quality time with their children and consequently engage better with their
partners in the role of parents. We also hope to invigorate communities helping men to develop a stronger network of
friends within the local community and helping in the process of binding a
community together.
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| Daddy Hulk getting into character! |
As well as Tiny Town where children and parents can play
together taking on different roles, dressing up (our super hero capes and masks
fit all sizes!) and enjoying spending time together - fair warning, parents seem
to get put in Tiny Town jail … a lot! We also have our free play area with a number of different
games and our book corner that has books for all ages and abilities to enjoy –
everyone loves to be read to and get lost in a good book. Or sit at a table together
with our colouring pencils and paper, ask us about some of the pen and paper
games we could share with you or design some Gabostones together to hide around
town and join in the city-wide game of hide and seek (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1659858947394738/ ).
As if we needed anything to tempt you further, for ‘Who let
the Dads out?’ as well as our free tea and instant coffee for anyone who
visits, we shall also be offering bacon rolls and a filter coffee for P25sd!
What better way to start your weekend?
Please note that mothers, Aunties and other women-folk are
most definitely welcome also! As with Rugbees, many come as whole families
however we want ‘who let the Dads out?’ to encourage men to spend time with
their children in a relaxed, playful atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you
soon.
Further reading on the importance of male role models for
children.
https://www.wholetthedadsout.org.uk/
- the original ‘who let the Dads out in the UK that inspired our Botswana
version.
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