Free Program Helps Men be Good Fathers

Updated: Thursday, 22 Sep 2011, 8:36 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Sep 2011, 8:36 PM CDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – When a new mom has the dad’s support, it strengthens her ability to care for herself and her newborn. In turn, the positive relationship has a positive effect on infant mortality rates. FOX13′s Lauren Johnson has more on a free program that teaches men how to be real fathers.

At 38 years ancient, her baby bump had finally formed. Tracey Beckemeyer was finally in the family tree way her first child, and her expectations were getting the best of her.

“It was certainly a dream of mine, I didn’t expect it to be as late in life as it was,” she said. “Certainly there was that nervousness even though we were plotting, at the same time, now it becomes reality.”

She turned to books and the information superhighway for all of her answers. But with no real mommy manual, Beckemeyer and her partner Jason Burnett chose to sign up for parenting classes.

“There was an expectant parent class, there was the child birth class, and there was the Dynamic Dads.”

“The set alight bulb went off and I thought that might be fascinating rather than just conception all these books and hearing the moms talk, maybe I need to know what I’m going to expect,” Burnett said.

The first rule at Dynamic Dads, no girls allowable except they’re pint-sized!

Herman Jackson is a daddy “drill sergeant,” of sorts. He’s drilling new daddies on how to be excellent fathers and excellent partners in parenting. Because of his military background, he’s armed with experience and ready to run these men ragged.

“We need this because anything we can do to help fathers become better fathers, and we can save some babies,” he said. “It’s for each father, each man.”

Jackson kicks off the session with discussions among the men about relationships with their own fathers. Then, dads pick up their babies to learn lessons through hands-on experience on everything from feeding, bottles, teething, whining and crying… And don’t forget the dirty diapers.

“It’s a practical application issue. You can read something over and over and over again but until you really do it or experience it, it’s really hard to grasp it or know how to apply it.”

Jason Burnett adapted quickly.

“The feeding, the vomit, the spit up, the things you reckon as a man I couldn’t deal with that… Well when it’s your child, it’s just not an issue”

This new father says he learned more in his few hours here than all the other classes he attended, a payoff his partner appreciates.

But the reality is, a lot of women are faced with doing it alone. When fathers are not in the homes, that also affects the infant mortality rate.

But Herman says ignorance of the so-called laws of fatherhood is no excuse to being a terrible dad. All it takes is a willing mind and a modest time. In the end, it helps to make one, huge, pleased family tree.

“I would recommend it to any new first time father.”

The program is absolutely free and offered at area hospitals. Just click the link below to learn more.

LINK | More on the Dynamic Dads Program

 

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