Fathers Sessions

WORKING WITH FATHERS
 

While the most significant amount of time is spent in working with the mother through the group program, considerable time has been spent exploring how TtLG can ensure fathers can be involved in the program.

While the TtLG program targets mothers as the primary carer, it does engage both parents wherever possible to ensure inclusiveness, valuing of roles and recognizes that being a father is a significant life event that poses opportunities and challenges as does motherhood and parenting.

The TtLG program seeks to support positive parenting experiences for both mothers and fathers and recognizes that parenting is a shared role, and fathers like mothers need support. While the 18 week group program solely targets mothers as the primary attachment figure, it seeks to support fathers by involving them in other activities. It has been a deliberate decision to keep the group solely for mothers who identify themselves as the primary attachment figure, for a number of reasons, particularly because of group dynamic issues, and the social capital building goals that are met; e.g., the support that the women provide to each as mothers. The 18 week program for the mothers provides a safe haven for the women to address their issues. Previous participants in the program who have partners have explicitly stated that they want their partners to be included in a meaningful way in the project. The provision of sessions targeting fathers is an essential component of the TtLG program.

The aims of involving the fathers are:

·      to support and value the fathers in their role as fathers;

·      to support fathers in having a relationship-based approach to parenting;

·      to explore the role the fathers play in supporting their partners involvement in Through the Looking Glass; and

·      to explore and support their role as secure base/safe haven for their partner.

Key activities include:

·      four specific group sessions with the fathers, covering key program concepts such as presenting the Circle of Security and the Circle of Repair;

·      encouraging fathers to be involved in initial discussion with clinician and primary care giver;

·      inviting Fathers to be actively involved in individual consultations where indicated;

·      inviting other workers from local “Fathering” projects to co-facilitate/attend the group sessions;

·      implementing a “photo voice” activity where disposable cameras are distributed to fathers to enable photos to be taken that capture key concepts of the Circle of Security and provide a discussion focus;

·      a videotaping of interactions between fathers and their child/ren is taken (“You Are So Beautiful” video);

·      organizing, promoting and encouraging fathers to attend general “Dads’” social sessions at the child centre supporting links to the wider child care community; and

·      promoting and encouraging fathers to link to their local community “Father Programs” and activities for ongoing networking and support.

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